Former CIA Director John Ratcliffe sparked controversy after making a statement suggesting that COVID-19 may have originated in a lab in China. His remarks have ignited a wave of shock and debate across the U.

The US Senate confirmed China hawk John Ratcliffe as the next director of the CIA on Thursday after Democrats had stalled his final floor vote — further setting back the timeline for consideration of President Trump’s other cabinet officials.

The Senate confirmed John Ratcliffe, former director of national intelligence, as head of the CIA on Thursday by a 74-25 vote. In November, then-President-elect Donald Trump announced his selection of Ratcliffe as the next director of the intelligence agency.

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

Newly-confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News the decision to release a Biden-era analysis favoring the COVID-19 lab leak theory is a step toward transparency.

Former Texas Congressman and ex-director of national intelligence assumes CIA leadership amid bipartisan Senate approval - Anadolu Ajansı

Cotton's pitch comes after the CIA switched its view on the origins of COVID-19 to the belief it likely originated from a Chinese lab leak.

The Senate voted overwhelmingly to confirm former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead America’s premier spy agency and his second nominee to win Senate approval.

President Donald Trump has begun his second administration with a series of controversial moves and decisions.

President Donald Trump chose from his most loyal supporters when he created his Cabinet and appointed others to key roles within his administration.

Not a speck of evidence has emerged showing that the COVID virus leaked from a Chinese lab. So why does a just-released CIA statement claim that it did? Blame politics.