In a historical move, acting Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Gina Haspel was formally sworn in as the next director of the US' top spy agency at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia on Monday.
With this, Haspel becomes the first female director in the 71-year history of the agency.
United States President Donald Trump heaped praises on Haspel, saying, "No one in this country is better qualified" for the role.
"She has earned the universal respect, admiration and trust of her colleagues here at the CIA, throughout the government and all over the world, Gina is truly respected. And today we also mark another proud milestone as Gina becomes the first woman ever to lead the CIA," CNN quoted Trump, as saying at her swearing in at CIA headquarters.
"It took courage for her to say yes in the face of a lot of very negative politics and what was supposed to be a negative vote, but I'll tell you, when you testified before the committee, it was over," Trump added.
The president said that Haspel now leads the agency into its "next great chapter," adding that she assumes the role of director at a "crucial moment in our history."
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On Thursday, the Senate voted, 54-45, to confirm Haspel, one day after the Senate Intelligence Committee, in a 10-5 vote, reported her nomination favorably, according to the several media reports.
The 61 year-old's nomination was controversial owing to her past at the CIA, including her oversight of a secret "black site" in Thailand in 2002 where suspected terrorists were tortured.
According to several media reports, she wrote a 2005 order - at her supervisor's request - to destroy 92 videotapes that showed CIA agents waterboarding prisoners.
Haspel, who previously served as CIA deputy director replaced Mike Pompeo, who is now US Secretary of State.