President Donald Trump on Wednesday named the current ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, as his top intelligence advisor, immediately drawing criticism that the politically outspoken figure is unsuited to such a sensitive position.
Grenell was named acting director of national intelligence, a temporary status which means he will not face a Senate confirmation process unless Trump puts him forward for a permanent position.
He takes over from Joseph Maguire, a retired admiral whose status as acting director was due to expire in March.
Trump tweeted that Grenell "has represented our Country exceedingly well and I look forward to working with him. I would like to thank Joe Maguire for the wonderful job he has done, and we look forward to working with him closely, perhaps in another capacity within the Administration!"
Samantha Powers, a UN ambassador under Barack Obama's presidency, tweeted that the appointment of someone so openly political to the intelligence post "would be a travesty."