Trump taps Joseph Maguire as acting national intelligence director

President Trump announced Thursday evening that he will name Joseph Maguire as acting director of national intelligence, effective August 15.

Maguire is director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and retired from the Navy in 2010 as a vice admiral. Trump shared the news shortly after he revealed that Sue Gordon, the current deputy director of national intelligence and a career intelligence officer, is stepping down. Earlier this month, people with knowledge of the matter told The New York Times Trump had recently blocked Gordon from delivering an intelligence briefing at the White House, and did not want her to replace outgoing Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.

Trump had wanted to nominate Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) as director of national intelligence, but was faced with opposition from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who argued Ratcliffe had no relevant experience. The director of national intelligence is the country's top intelligence official.

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