Trump formally designates acting intelligence chief

Washington, Feb 21 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has formally designated Richard Grenell, the Ambassador to Germany, as acting director of national intelligence, according to a White House statement."(Grenell) is committed to a non-political, non-partisan approach as head of the Intelligence Community, on which our safety and security depend," Xinhua news agency quoted White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham as saying in the statement on Thursday."The President has every confidence that Ambassador Grenell will perform his new duties with distinction," she added.Grenell has served as US ambassador to Germany since April 2018. He will retain that role, given he is only leading the intelligence community on an acting basis.Trump had announced on Wednesday via Twitter that he would give the intelligence job to Grenell.
--IANS ksk/