Dan Coats facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dan Coats
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Official portrait, 2017
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| 5th Director of National Intelligence | |
| In office March 16, 2017 – August 15, 2019 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Susan M. Gordon |
| Preceded by | James Clapper |
| Succeeded by | John Ratcliffe |
| Chair of the Joint Economic Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Kevin Brady |
| Succeeded by | Pat Tiberi |
| United States Senator from Indiana |
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| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Evan Bayh |
| Succeeded by | Todd Young |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Dan Quayle |
| Succeeded by | Evan Bayh |
| United States Ambassador to Germany | |
| In office August 15, 2001 – February 28, 2005 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | John C. Kornblum |
| Succeeded by | William R. Timken |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 4th district |
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| In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Dan Quayle |
| Succeeded by | Jill Long Thompson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Daniel Ray Coats
May 16, 1943 Jackson, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Marsha Coats
(m. 1965) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1966–1968 |
| Rank | Staff Sergeant |
Daniel Ray Coats (born May 16, 1943) is an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat. He held many important roles in the United States government. From 2017 to 2019, he was the Director of National Intelligence for the Trump administration.
Coats also served as a United States Senator for Indiana twice. His first term was from 1989 to 1999, and his second was from 2011 to 2017. Before that, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 1989. He also worked as the United States Ambassador to Germany from 2001 to 2005.
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Early Life and Education
Daniel Coats was born in Jackson, Michigan, in 1943. His parents were Vera and Edward Coats. His grandparents on his mother's side came from Sweden. He went to public schools in Jackson and graduated from Jackson High School in 1961.
After high school, he attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He earned a degree in political science in 1965. While at Wheaton, he was a player on the soccer team.
Coats served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968. After his military service, he went to law school at Indiana University. He earned his law degree in 1972.
Career in Public Service
After law school, Coats worked for a life insurance company in Fort Wayne. He then began his career in politics.
Working for Congressman Quayle
From 1976 to 1980, Daniel Coats worked for Dan Quayle. At that time, Quayle was a Congressman representing Indiana. Coats was his representative in the local district.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
In 1980, Dan Quayle decided to run for the U.S. Senate. Daniel Coats then ran for Quayle's seat in the United States House of Representatives. Coats won the election and served in the House from 1981 to 1989. He was reelected four times during this period.
Becoming a U.S. Senator
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In 1988, Dan Quayle was elected Vice President of the United States. He resigned from his Senate seat. Daniel Coats was chosen to fill Quayle's empty seat in the Senate. He had just been elected to his fifth term in the House.
Coats won a special election in 1990 to finish Quayle's term. He was then elected for a full six-year term in 1992. He decided not to run for reelection in 1998. He left the Senate in January 1999.
U.S. Ambassador to Germany
From 2001 to 2005, Daniel Coats served as the United States Ambassador to Germany. He was appointed to this role by President George W. Bush. During his time as ambassador, he worked to build strong relationships between the U.S. and Germany. He also helped with the building of a new U.S. Embassy in Berlin.
Returning to the U.S. Senate
After his time as ambassador, Coats worked as a lobbyist. In 2010, he announced he would run for his old Senate seat again. The person holding the seat, Evan Bayh, then announced his retirement. Coats won the election by a large margin.
He served in the Senate from 2011 to 2017. He decided not to run for reelection in 2016. During this time, he was a member of the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Director of National Intelligence
In January 2017, Daniel Coats was chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to be the Director of National Intelligence. This is a very important job in the U.S. government. He was confirmed by the Senate and started his term on March 16, 2017.
As Director of National Intelligence, Coats oversaw all the different intelligence agencies in the U.S. He was responsible for giving the President and other leaders important information about threats to the country.
In 2018, Coats stated that the United States Intelligence Community agreed that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. In 2019, he released a report about the main threats to the United States. These threats included cyber attacks, regional conflicts, and efforts to influence elections.
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Coats's term as Director of National Intelligence ended on August 15, 2019.
Political Views
Daniel Coats has held various political views throughout his career.
Gun Laws
Coats has supported some gun control measures. In 1991, he voted for a bill that would have created a waiting period for handgun purchases. He also supported the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act in 1993. This law required a waiting period before a handgun could be sold by a licensed dealer.
In 2013, Coats voted against a bill that would have made background checks for gun buyers more widespread.
LGBT Issues
Coats did not support allowing LGBT individuals to serve openly in the military. He helped create the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. He also did not support same-sex marriage.
Russia and Ukraine
Coats urged President Barack Obama to strongly punish Russia for taking over Crimea in 2014. Because of this, the Russian government banned Coats from traveling to Russia. In 2019, he warned about the alliance between Russia and China.
Iran and Iraq
Coats supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He believed Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. He also opposed the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. He described Iran as a major supporter of terrorism.
Palestine
Coats supported the Taylor Force Act. This law aimed to stop U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority if it continued payments to families of terrorists. He also signed a letter urging President Obama to veto resolutions against Israel.
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Personal Life
Daniel Coats is married to Marsha Coats. They have three children. Marsha Coats has also been involved in politics.
Coats has received awards for his public service. In 2012, he received the Charles G. Berwind Lifetime Achievement Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. In 2015, he received the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Advancing American Democracy Award.
He is a big fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. He and his wife went to a Cubs game the day after they got married.
Images for kids
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Coats in his first tenure in Congress
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See also
In Spanish: Dan Coats para niños
