Director of the Central Intelligence Agency facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Director of the Central Intelligence Agency |
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![]() Flag of the Central Intelligence Agency
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![]() Seal of the Central Intelligence Agency
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Central Intelligence Agency | |
Abbreviation | D/CIA |
Reports to | Director of National Intelligence (DNI) |
Seat | George Bush Center for Intelligence, Langley, Fairfax County, Virginia |
Appointer | President
with Senate advice and consent
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Term length | No fixed term |
Constituting instrument | 50 U.S.C. § 3036 |
Precursor | Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) |
Formation | December 17, 2004 |
First holder | Porter J. Goss |
Deputy | Deputy director |
Salary | $225,700 Executive Schedule, Level II |
The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (often called the D/CIA) is the leader of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The CIA is a very important part of the United States Intelligence Community, which collects and analyzes information to protect the country.
The D/CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The DNI is the main leader for all US intelligence groups. The D/CIA also gets help from the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
The person chosen for this job can be a civilian or a high-ranking officer from the United States Armed Forces. The president of the United States picks this person. The DNI also gives a recommendation. Then, the United States Senate must agree with the choice by voting for them.
Contents
History of the D/CIA Role
Before December 17, 2004, the leader of the CIA was called the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). This person was in charge of both the entire United States Intelligence Community and the CIA itself. The DCI also advised the president on important intelligence matters. They were also a key advisor to the United States National Security Council.
The job of DCI was created in 1946 by President Harry S. Truman. This was even before the CIA was officially formed in 1947. After World War II, a group called the Office of Strategic Services was closed down. Its duties were split between different government departments. President Truman soon realized this was not efficient. So, he created the Central Intelligence Group. This group was a smaller version of what would become the National Security Council.
The next year, in 1947, the National Security Act of 1947 created the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council. This law also clearly defined the duties of the Director of Central Intelligence. Over the years, the DCI's duties were further shaped by traditions, new laws from Congress, and special orders from the President.
In February 2017, the D/CIA's role became even more important. The Trump administration made the D/CIA a member of the Cabinet of the United States. This meant the D/CIA attended special meetings with the President and other top leaders. This change ended when the Biden administration began. However, in July 2023, the Biden administration again made the D/CIA a member of the Cabinet.
Who Takes Over if the Director Can't Serve?
The "order of succession" is a list that shows who takes over if the Director of the CIA cannot do their job. This could happen if the director resigns, passes away, or becomes unable to perform their duties. The person next in line on this list would then become the acting director.
If someone on the list is already serving in a temporary role, or cannot take the job for other reasons, the list skips to the next person. However, the president of the United States can choose someone different from this list to be the acting director if they wish.
No. | Title |
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Deputy director |
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Chief operating officer |
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Deputy director of CIA for operations |
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Deputy director of CIA for analysis |
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Deputy director of CIA for science and technology |
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Deputy director of CIA for digital innovation |
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Deputy director of CIA for support |
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General counsel |
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Deputy chief operating officer |
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Senior CIA representative for the United Kingdom |
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Senior CIA representative for the East Coast |
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Senior CIA representative for the West Coast |
List of CIA Directors
This list shows the people who have served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. This position took over from the Director of Central Intelligence in 2004.
Denotes acting capacity. |
No. | Image | Name | Start | End | Duration | President | |
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1 | ![]() |
Porter Goss | December 17, 2004 | May 5, 2006 | 1 year, 24 days | George W. Bush (2001–2009) |
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2 | ![]() |
Michael Hayden | May 30, 2006 | February 12, 2009 | 2 years, 260 days | ||
3 | ![]() |
Leon Panetta | February 13, 2009 | June 30, 2011 | 2 years, 138 days | Barack Obama (2009–2017) |
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– | ![]() |
Michael Morell Acting |
July 1, 2011 | September 6, 2011 | 68 days | ||
4 | ![]() |
David Petraeus | September 6, 2011 | November 9, 2012 | 1 year, 66 days | ||
– | ![]() |
Michael Morell Acting |
November 9, 2012 | March 8, 2013 | 130 days | ||
5 | ![]() |
John Brennan | March 8, 2013 | January 20, 2017 | 3 years, 320 days | ||
– | ![]() |
Meroe Park Acting |
January 20, 2017 | January 23, 2017 | 3 days | Donald Trump (2017–2021) |
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6 | ![]() |
Mike Pompeo | January 23, 2017 | April 26, 2018 | 1 year, 94 days | ||
7 | ![]() |
Gina Haspel | April 26, 2018 | May 21, 2018 | 26 days | ||
May 21, 2018 | January 20, 2021 | 2 years, 245 days | |||||
– | ![]() |
David Cohen Acting |
January 20, 2021 | March 19, 2021 | 59 days | Joe Biden (2021–2025) |
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8 | ![]() |
Bill Burns | March 19, 2021 | January 20, 2025 | 3 years, 308 days | ||
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Maura Burns |
January 20, 2025 | 0 years, 0 days | Donald Trump (2025–present) |
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– | Tom Sylvester Acting |
January 20, 2025 | January 23, 2025 | 0 years, 3 days | |||
9 | ![]() |
John Ratcliffe | January 23, 2025 | Incumbent | 0 years, 175 days |
See also
In Spanish: Director de la Agencia Central de Inteligencia para niños
- Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation
- Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Director of the United States Marshals Service
- Director of the United States Secret Service