Happy New Year 2025

Tag: leadership

Southwest to cut 15% of corporate staff, including senior leadership positions

Jack Otter and the panel discuss the downfall of Southwest Airlines’ popularity and how they could turn it around on ‘Barron’s Roundtable.’

Southwest Airlines cut 15% of its corporate workforce as it tries to rapidly reduce overhead costs to become a “leaner” company.

The airline said that the layoffs primarily target corporate overhead and leadership positions, including senior leadership and director roles. In total, 1,750 jobs will be affected, including 11 senior leadership positions, as the carrier strives to build a “leaner and more agile organization” under its transformational plan.

“We are at a pivotal moment as we transform Southwest Airlines into a leaner, faster, and more agile organization,” CEO Bob Jordan said in a statement.

SOUTHWEST TO PAUSE SOME HIRING, SUMMER INTERNSHIPS IN COST-CUTTING MEASURE

Southwest said most of the separations will be completed by the end of the second fiscal quarter, and will result in approximately $210 million in savings for fiscal year 2025 and $300 million for the full 2026 fiscal year.

The company expects to incur $60 million to $80 million in costs related to severance payments and post-employment benefits in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Travelers use a Southwest Airlines Co. self check-in kiosk at Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., on Friday, July 19, 2019. ( Scott Eisen/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Southwest has made substantial changes to rein in costs, particularly after activist investor Elliott Investment Management took a $2 billion stake in the carrier and subsequently called on the airline to take actions such as making leadership changes to improve its financial performance.

Last month, the company announced it was halting certain corporate events and pausing some hiring and most summer internships, though it plans to honor offers that were already made, in order to limit discretionary spending.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 aircraft landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

Southwest CEO Bob Jordan told employees in a January memo that “every single dollar matters as we continue to fight to return to excellent financial performance,” The Wall Street Journal reported.

Last fall, the carrier said it would be “minimizing hiring, optimizing scheduling efficiency, capitalizing on supply chain opportunities, and improving corporate efficiency” while implementing a “multi-year” plan to improve its finances. Southwest is aiming to achieve a $500 million run rate in savings in 2027, the company said at its investor day in September.

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During the investor day, Southwest also detailed big changes it has in the pipeline, such as offering assigned seats, evolving its boarding process and introducing premium seating. It will also start operating red-eye flights in February to “maximize aircraft utilization” and shorten the turnaround time for planes between flights.

FOX Business’ Aislinn Murphy contributed to this report.

February 18, 2025
Dem mayor blasted for extending sympathy to suspect killed in officer-involved shooting: ‘Lack of leadership’

Milwaukee’s Democratic Mayor Cavalier Johnson deleted a social media post following an officer-involved shooting that said the suspect’s death was also a “tragedy,” leading to criticism from the Milwaukee Police Association.

“My thoughts are with the [Milwaukee Police] officer shot in the line of duty today,” the original X post stated. “The entire incident, including the death of the suspect, is a tragedy.”

The new version of the post only includes the first line expressing concern for the police officer.

NEW YORK STATE PRISON PLACED ON LOCKDOWN AFTER INMATES TAKE OVER, INJURE THREE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS

The officer was allegedly shot by a suspect carrying a rifle before the suspect was slain by another officer, Fox 6 Milwaukee reported.

As of 2024, Milwaukee is considered one of the most dangerous cities in Wisconsin, according to SafeHome.org (Fox News)

“The original social media post was put up by a staff member. When the Mayor saw it, he immediately insisted it be taken down. His sentiments are accurately expressed in the video that was posted,” the mayor’s office told Fox News Digital in an email.

“My thoughts are with that officer. My thoughts are with that officer’s family. My thoughts are with the Milwaukee Police Department,” Johnson said in the video referenced in his office’s statement. “I’m grateful, and I know that the people of Milwaukee are grateful as well that there are so many brave men and women who are part of this force who put their own selves in the line of danger in order to make sure we have safety in this community.”

A Johnson spokesperson told Wisconsin Right Now that “an appropriate reprimand is forthcoming” for the staffer who allegedly posted the original comment.

The Milwaukee Police Association said Johnson’s original post was insulting to law enforcement.

“MPA President Alexander Ayala contacted the Mayor’s office after seeing a social media post calling the death of a criminal who nearly killed one of our police officers today, a ‘tragedy,’” the association wrote on Facebook. “While we accept the Mayor’s apology that he made in a call to President Ayala, we must make it clear that this sentiment, even in error, insults every Milwaukee Police officer who puts their life on the line for the city.”

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Officials and popular voices in the region also blasted the deleted post.

“Law Enforcement’s jobs are made harder by leaders like you who insult their service and sacrifice. A police officer almost didn’t go home today because he was shot by someone endangering his community. That is a tragedy, [mayor],” Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann posted.

“Your lack of leadership has created the environment for this to happen,” he added.

“Yes, he really did call the death of a lowlife thug who shot and very nearly killed a Milwaukee Police officer a ‘tragedy,’” Wisconsin-based radio personality Dan O’Donnell posted.

The Milwaukee skyline is seen on July 31, 2018. (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

As of 2024, Milwaukee is considered one of the most dangerous cities in Wisconsin, according to SafeHome.org. Statistics from last year indicate that the murder rate in the city had a decline, but carjackings did see an increase, Fox 6 Milwaukee reported.

WISCONSIN MAN, DOG FOUND STABBED TO DEATH AT HOME HOURS AFTER POLICE RESPONDED TO POSSIBLE BREAK-IN

Cameron Arcand is a politics writer at Fox News Digital in Washington D.C. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @cameron_arcand

February 14, 2025
RNC brings on new senior leadership to ‘work around the clock’ to support Trump agenda, elect Republicans

RNC warns Dems: Government shutdown a ‘losing issue’

Republican National Committee co-chair Mike Whatley joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss the Democrats electing a new chair as the party threatens a government shutdown over President Donald Trump’s executive actions.

EXCLUSIVE: The Republican National Committee has staffed up with new senior leadership to support President Donald Trump’s agenda and work to elect Republican candidates “who will fight to Make America Great Again,” Fox News Digital has learned.

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley brought on a slate of new senior staff at the GOP — all bringing campaign expertise stemming from several election cycles and experience in the private sector.

RNC CHAIR WHATLEY VOWS TO BE ‘TIP OF THE SPEAR’ TO PROTECT TRUMP AFTER COASTING TO RE-ELECTION VICTORY

“After a historic victory in 2024, taking back the White House and securing majorities in both chambers of Congress, Republicans are just getting started delivering on promises made,” Whatley told Fox News Digital.

“As America enters the new golden age under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, I am thrilled to announce our extraordinary RNC team, who will work around the clock to support President Trump’s agenda and elect Republican candidates who will fight to Make America Great Again,” he said.

Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley is interviewed by Fox News Digital, at the RNC headquarters in Washington D.C., on Dec. 12, 2024 (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

The RNC has brought on Mike Ambrosini to serve as chief of staff. Ambrosini previously served as the director of the RNC’s State Party Strategies. He also served in the first Trump administration and held roles in Congress, the private sector and served as the executive director of the Michigan Republican Party.

RNC officials told Fox News Digital that Ambrosini is “the perfect person to bring everyone to the table, navigate challenges and implement a winning strategy.”

Whatley also brought on Rob Secaur as the new RNC political director. Secaur served as deputy political director for the 2024 Trump campaign, after serving as an RNC regional political director.

SENATE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR SPELLS OUT HIS 2026 MISSION

To run messaging, Whatley tapped Zach Parkinson as RNC communications director. Parkinson served as the RNC’s research director and deputy communications director, overseeing the GOP’s opposition research and rapid response efforts.

Parkinson also provided research to the Trump 2024 campaign, served as deputy communications director for the Trump 2020 campaign, and worked in communications and research roles at the Trump White House from 2017 to 2019.

Meanwhile, to run GOP finance, Mallory Gerndt has been elevated to finance director from her current role on the RNC finance team, where she has served since 2017.

Gerndt was the deputy finance director for the RNC throughout the 2024 election cycle.

RNC officials told Fox News Digital that Gerndt has a reputation for “setting and meeting fundraising goals to help deliver for President Trump’s America First agenda.”

HOUSE GOP CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR MAKES 2026 PREDICTION

Whatley also announced Zach Imel as RNC data director. Imel served as director of external data & voter contact for Team Trump during the 2024 campaign. Previously, Imel oversaw RNC data efforts during the 2022 and 2020 cycles.

Whatley also brought on Brent Brooks to serve as digital director. Brooks, according to GOP officials, has played “a key role” in raising millions of dollars and developing the “VotePro” campaign portal, which the RNC billed as a “crucial app that empowered millions of Republican voters to get involved, take action, cast their ballots, and win in 2024.”

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As for RNC efforts across the nation, Whatley has tapped Tom Smithfield to serve as state party strategies director.

Smithfield served as state party strategies deputy director during the 2024 cycle and as deputy national field director in 2022. Smithfield also served as deputy state director for Trump Victory in Pennsylvania in 2020 and for the Pennsylvania GOP in 2018.

Whatley told Fox News Digital that as Trump “delivers on his promises,” Republicans plan to also “look to the future.”

“The RNC will play a pivotal role,” Whatley said. “Our team will continue to grow the party, get out the vote, secure our elections and keep on winning.”

Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.

February 12, 2025
Israeli prime minister lauds Trump’s leadership when asked if Biden should take credit for ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded President Donald Trump’s leadership when asked who should take credit for the ceasefire deal reached in the waning days of the Biden administration.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu, we’ve heard Joe Biden and Donald Trump take credit for the hostage and ceasefire deal. Who do you think deserves more credit?” Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Netanyahu as he joined Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday.

“I think President Trump had a great force and powerful leadership to this effort. I appreciate it,” Netanyahu responded. “He sent a very good emissary. He’s helped a lot. And, you know, I’ll just tell you, I’m happy that they’re here. And I’m sure the president is happy that they’re here. And I would think that’s about enough.”

Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal Jan. 15, just days before Biden exited the White House, and Trump entered it, on Jan. 20. The ceasefire followed a meeting between Trump’s then-incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Netanyahu.

TRUMP EYES ABRAHAM ACCORDS EXPANSION, GAZA REBUILD WITH NETANYAHU MEETING ON DECK

President Donald Trump, right, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images )

Credit for the ceasefire was claimed by both Biden and Trump, with the 46th president taking a victory lap for the achievement in the opening remarks of his farewell address to the nation.

“After eight months of nonstop negotiation, my administration — by my administration — a cease-fire and hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas, the elements of which I laid out in great detail in May of this year,” Biden said in his farewell address.

“This plan was developed and negotiated by my team and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration. That’s why I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed, because that’s how it should be, working together as Americans.”

Credit for the ceasefire was claimed by both President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, pictured here with former Vice President Kamala Harris, with Biden taking a victory lap for the achievement in the opening remarks of his farewell address to the nation. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

At another point of Tuesday’s joint press conference, Netanyahu argued that chances of peace in the Middle East increase when he and Trump — and Israel and the U.S. overall — work side by side.

TRUMP REINSTATES ‘MAXIMUM PRESSURE’ CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAN

“When Israel and the United States work together, and President Trump and I work together, you know, the chances go up a lot [to reach the second phase of the ceasefire deal],” he said. “It’s when we don’t work together, when Israel and the United States don’t work together, that creates problems. When the other side sees daylight between us, and occasionally in the last few years … then it’s more difficult.”

Trump invited Netanyahu to the White House to discuss the ceasefire deal’s future, and Iran’s grip in the Middle East and resettling Gaza residents in other nations.

President Donald Trump, right, invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House to discuss the ceasefire deal’s future, and Iran’s grip in the Middle East and resettling Gaza residents in other nations. (Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Iran has been at the forefront of Hamas’ war on Israel, assisting in funding the effort. Trump said during the press conference that war would not have broken out if he had been president back on Oct. 7, 2023 — citing that Iran was financially hobbled under his first administration.

“Iran was in big trouble when I left. They were broke,” Trump said. “They didn’t have money for Hamas. They didn’t have any money for Hezbollah. You had no problem. October 7th could have never happened when I left.”

ISRAEL’S NETANYAHU DEPARTS FOR US TO MEET WITH TRUMP, HOPING TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH WASHINGTON

Netanyahu vowed during the press conference that he would bring home the remaining hostages in Hamas captivity, while adding that “Hamas is not going to be in Gaza” much longer.

Trump added that Gaza is too dangerous for even the soldiers currently on the ground.

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“It’s too dangerous for people. Nobody wants to be there,” he said. “Warriors don’t want to be there. Soldiers don’t want to be there. How can you have people go back? You’re saying go back into Gaza now? The same thing’s going to happen.”

“It’ll only be death,” he said.

February 4, 2025
DNC lambasted for ‘beyond parody’ leadership vote that included singing, gender rules: ‘can’t stop laughing’

Conservatives on social media are having a field day mocking the Democratic National Committee for featuring a handful of “beyond parody” moments during its leadership vote over the weekend, which critics say underscores that Democrats have “learned absolutely nothing” from their 2024 election losses.

The DNC voted to elect Minnestota Democrat Party leader Ken Martin as its chair on Saturday, after eight candidates vied to succeed Jaime Harrison. Following the Democratic Party’s losses in November, when Republicans reclaimed the White House and Senate and retained control of the House, the DNC’s chair vote serves as a fresh slate for the party as they ramp up strategies and fundraising for the next election cycle.

Conservatives and critics took to social media over the weekend to highlight what they viewed as the most out of touch speeches and comments from party leaders, including the election of left-wing activist David Hogg as one of its three co-chairs. Hogg is an outspoken gun control advocate and the co-founder of March for Our Lives, a gun control group that was formed after the Parkland school shooting in 2018.

DEMOCRATS ELECT NEW CHAIR WHO BRANDED TRUMP A ‘TRAITOR’ AS PARTY AIMS TO REBOUND FROM DISASTROUS 2024 ELECTION

David Hogg, March For Our Lives co-founder, delivers remarks at the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 26, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

“DNC Vice Chair David Hogg has some legitimately INSANE views that are wildly out of step with the American people. Good to see that the Democrat Party has learned absolutely nothing,” conservative communicator Steve Guest posted to X.

Hogg, a Parkland school shooting survivor, said from the DNC vote in Maryland that the party will put Republicans “on the defense” in the coming days and reclaim lost political ground.

“After Parkland, our country was in a similar moment – where we had a Republican trifecta in Washington,” the 24-year-old said during the DNC election. “We went on the offense, put the Republicans on the defense, and we won. That’s what we need to do right now.”

‘IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY’: DNC CHAIR CANDIDATES REVEAL HOW THEY WILL REBOUND AFTER DISASTROUS 2024 RESULTS

“We’re going to show people that the reason people should vote for us isn’t just because we’re not Republicans – it’s because we’re damn Democrats. We give a s—,” he pledged. “And we deliver. Now it’s time to rebuild the party and to rethink the way we’ve been doing things.”

Candidates for DNC chair debate at Georgetown University, Jan. 30, 2025. (Fox News/Paul Steinhauser)

Amid the hours-long vote and gathering of Democrats on Saturday in Maryland, former DNC chief Harrison announced that the elections must be gender-balanced, including when a non-binary candidate is in the running, sparking condemnation from conservatives.

DEMOCRATS RALLY AROUND LIGHTENING ROD ISSUE AT FINAL DNC CHAIR DEBATE

“We have an amazing group of new officers. So far, as you know, our three at large vice chair positions are used to ensure gender balance among seven offices: treasury secretary, national finance chair and vice chair for civic engagement and voter participation and the three at large vice chairs. Our rules specify that when we have a non-binary candidate or officer, the non-binary individual is counted as neither male nor female, and the remaining six offices must be gender balanced with the results of the previous four elections. Our elected officers are currently two male and two female. In order to be gender balanced… we must elect one male, one female, and one person of any gender.”

Before the election kicked off on Saturday, the eight candidates had traveled to Georgetown University for a forum co-hosted by MSNBC on Thursday, where they declared “racism and misogyny” compounded former Vice President Kamala Harris’ election loss.

“So, I’m going to have a show of hands. How many of you believe that racism and misogyny played a role in Vice President Harris’ defeat?” MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart asked the eight candidates.

Former DNC Chairman Jamie Harrison, left, stands next to Ken Martin, who reacts after being elected the new chairman at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

“That’s good. You all passed,” Capehart said after all candidates raised their hands in agreement.

Republican lawmakers and pundits pounced on clips of the exchange, including Sen. Tommy Tubervile, R-Ala., who quipped that the GOP will expand its majority in the midterms.

Singing also broke out both during the forum and the vote. Dr. Quintessa Hathaway was in the running for chair and belted out a song with the lyrics, “You fight on, when the government is doing you wrong, you fight on” during the Thursday forum. She also sang another song ahead of the vote on Saturday vowing, “We shall overcome.”

FIRST ON FOX: AFTER 2024 ELECTION SETBACKS, DEMOCRATS EYE RURAL VOTERS

Harrison was also spotted on camera singing on Saturday, delivering a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday.”

DEMOCRATS’ HOUSE CAMPAIGN CHAIR TELLS FOX NEWS HER PLAN TO WIN BACK MAJORITY

DNC members also “acknowledged” during the vote that the U.S. was “built on indigenous lands.”

Ken Martin, who previously slammed Trump as a “traitor” who should be prosecuted for treason, celebrated his win on Saturday, vowing to combat Trump and the Republican Party.

“We have one team, one team, the Democratic Party,” Martin said following his victory. “The fight is for our values. The fight is for working people. The fight right now is against Donald Trump and the billionaires who bought this country.”

Newly elected DNC Chairman Ken Martin speaks after winning the vote in National Harbor, Maryland, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr.)

“We need to go on offense,” Martin said. “We’re going to go out there and take this fight to Donald Trump and the Republicans.”

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Fox News Digital reached out to the DNC on Sunday for comment on the negative backlash over the gathering, but did not immediately receive a reply.

Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

February 2, 2025
Climate activists break with Dem Party as leadership meeting interrupted by protesters

Environmental groups appear to be breaking with the Democratic Party after protesters disrupted a recent leadership meeting, which comes as the party attempts to regain its footing after suffering defeat in the 2024 presidential election.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) held a candidate forum on Thursday evening in Washington, D.C., ahead of their upcoming election to determine who will lead the campaign arm into the next election cycle.

While the event was intended to showcase some of the party’s potential new faces, it was interrupted by several protesters, including climate activists from the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led, left-wing climate action organization, who demanded the DNC establish a working election strategy for the party after the 2024 loss.

“What will you do to get fossil fuel money out of Democratic politics? We are facing a climate emergency!” Fox News Digital heard one protester shout.

AFTER STINGING ELECTION DEFEATS, DNC EYES RURAL VOTERS AS KEY TO 2026 MIDTERM SUCCESS

Hecklers are seen being removed by Georgetown University security at the DNC chair election debate at Georgetown University on Jan. 30 2025. (Fox News Digital/Paul Steinhauser)

Other protesters made calls for the DNC chair candidates to bring back the party’s ban on corporate PAC and lobbyist donations.

“To defeat Trump, the Democratic Party needs to loudly and proudly take a stand against billionaires and show voters that Democrats are the only party ready to fight for working people,” Adah, an activist from the Sunrise Movement who made an interruption, said in a statement issued by Sunrise.

DNC HIRES FORMER HARRIS STAFFERS BEHIND @KAMALAHQ FOR SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSES TO TRUMP

“That’s how we will win back young voters and working class voters and defeat Trump,” Adah added.

Nominees for the DNC chair position at the DNC chair debate at Georgetown University on Jan. 30 2025. (Fox News Digital/Paul Steinhauser)

About a dozen protesters interrupted and were kicked out of the event — the final meeting ahead of Saturday’s DNC election.

The Democratic candidates and moderates grew frustrated with the protesters who were interrupting the event.

Jason Paul, a candidate running for DNC chair, said the protesters were “hijack[ing] the whole evening” and turning the event “into scream night.”

The eight candidates vying for Democratic National Committee chair sit for a forum that was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., on Jan. 30, 2025. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

“I’m surprised I haven’t seen more of it,” former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley told reporters after the event. “They’re going to be on this planet a lot longer than I am, and if they stop caring passionately about the planet, then we have no hope at all. So it didn’t bother me.”

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Eight candidates are running to serve as chair of the DNC next cycle, including O’Malley, Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler, Minnesota chair Ken Martin, and former two-time Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson.

The DNC chair election will be held Saturday.

Aubrie Spady is a Writer for Fox News Digital.

January 31, 2025
CIA Director John Ratcliffe promises ‘changes’ to come in leadership memo

EXCLUSIVE: CIA Director John Ratcliffe warned his agents of “changes” to come under his leadership in a memo obtained by Fox News Digital.

“There will be changes during my tenure as director,” the new leader of America’s top spy agency wrote in an agency-wide workforce message. Ratcliffe is currently reviewing all top staff and planning to put his own fingerprints on the senior level of the agency, Fox News Digital has learned.

“We will collect intelligence in every corner of the globe, no matter how dark or difficult. We will produce insightful, objective, all-source analysis, never allowing political or personal biases to cloud our judgment or infect our products,” Ratcliffe went on in his email.

“And we will conduct covert action at the direction of the President, going places no one else can go and doing things no one else can do.”

NEW CIA BOSS RATCLIFFE SAYS BIDEN-ERA REPORT BACKING LAB-LEAK THEORY RELEASED TO ‘RESTORE’ TRUST

CIA Director John Ratcliffe warned his agents of “changes” to come under his leadership of the CIA. (Getty Images)

As agents conduct work in what Ratcliffe defined as the “most challenging national security environment in our nation’s history,” he promised the CIA would be the “ultimate meritocracy.”

“Our shared mission will bind us together.”

A source familiar with Ratcliffe’s thinking said, “This was a message to Agency’s workforce that the John Brennan era, the Gina Haspel era, the eras of promoting leftwing political agendas or subverting the President — those days are over.”

Haspel was President Donald Trump’s CIA director from 2018 to 2021 – while Ratcliffe was Trump’s director of national intelligence. Brennan headed up the agency under former President Barack Obama.

“I’m sure it’ll rub some of the political activists burrowed in there the wrong way, but there are a lot of red-blooded, mission-focused agency officers reading this and cheering him on,” the source added.

RATCLIFFE SAYS US FACES ‘MOST CHALLENGING SECURITY ENVIRONMENT’ EVER IN CONFIRMATION HEARING

Ratcliffe is also looking for ways to streamline the agency’s many tech-focused offices – the directorate of digital innovation; directorate of science and technology; transnational and technology mission center; office of the chief technology officer; and directorate of analysis, which has been developing AI-powered tools – to stake out clear lines of authority and tasks.

“Nobody comes to CIA to be somebody. Our successes remain hidden. Even our medals are presented behind closed doors, our sacrifices memorialized by stars on a marble wall. But each one of those stars represents somebody who wanted to do something, regardless of whether history would know their name,” Ratcliffe continued.

A source familiar with CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s thinking promised a different direction for the nation’s top spy agency than under Gina Haspel, CIA director during the first Trump administration. (Reuters)

“That’s what makes this place special. That’s what we must preserve.”

Ratcliffe was confirmed by the Senate last Thursday in a 74-25 vote.

Under its new director, the CIA released a new assessment of the COVID-19 origin which favors a lab origin with “low confidence.”

The review was ordered by former President Joe Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan toward the end of Biden’s time in office.

JOHN RATCLIFFE CONFIRMED AS NEXT CIA DIRECTOR

President Donald Trump’s nominee for CIA director, John Ratcliffe, appears for a Senate Intelligence confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 15, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The agency has maintained for years it did not have enough intelligence to conclude whether COVID-19 originated in a lab or a wet market in Wuhan, China.

Ratcliffe recently told Breitbart News he no longer wanted the CIA to sit “on the sidelines” of the debate over the origins of Covid-19. He has long said he believes the virus originated in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

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“I had the opportunity on my first day to make public an assessment that actually took place in the Biden administration, so it can’t be accused of being political,” he told “Sunday Morning Futures” host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday.

“And the CIA has assessed that the most likely cause of this pandemic that has wrought so much devastation around the world was because of a lab-related incident in Wuhan, so we’ll continue to investigate that moving forward.”

January 28, 2025