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Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Flag of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.svg
Flag of the Central Intelligence Agency
Seal of the Central Intelligence Agency.svg
Seal of the Central Intelligence Agency
Official Portrait of CIA Director John Ratcliffe.webp
Incumbent
John Ratcliffe

since January 23, 2025
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
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.

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
1
Deputy director
2
Chief operating officer
3
Deputy director of CIA for operations
4
Deputy director of CIA for analysis
5
Deputy director of CIA for science and technology
6
Deputy director of CIA for digital innovation
7
Deputy director of CIA for support
8
General counsel
9
Deputy chief operating officer
10
Senior CIA representative for the United Kingdom
11
Senior CIA representative for the East Coast
12
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
1 Porter J. Goss official CIA portrait (cropped).jpg Goss, PorterPorter Goss December 17, 2004 May 5, 2006 1 year, 24 days Bush, George W.George W. Bush
(2001–2009)
2 Michael Hayden, CIA official portrait (cropped).jpg Hayden, MichaelMichael Hayden May 30, 2006 February 12, 2009 2 years, 260 days
3 Leon Panetta official portrait (cropped).jpg Panetta, LeonLeon Panetta February 13, 2009 June 30, 2011 2 years, 138 days Obama, BarackBarack Obama
(2009–2017)
CIA Michael Morell (cropped).jpg Morell, MichaelMichael Morell
Acting
July 1, 2011 September 6, 2011 68 days
4 DCIA David Petraeus (cropped).jpg Petraeus, DavidDavid Petraeus September 6, 2011 November 9, 2012 1 year, 66 days
CIA Michael Morell (cropped).jpg Morell, MichaelMichael Morell
Acting
November 9, 2012 March 8, 2013 130 days
5 John Brennan CIA official portrait (cropped).jpg Brennan, JohnJohn Brennan March 8, 2013 January 20, 2017 3 years, 320 days
Meroe Park.jpg Park, MeroeMeroe Park
Acting
January 20, 2017 January 23, 2017 3 days Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
(2017–2021)
6 Mike Pompeo CIA headshot.jpg Pompeo, MikeMike Pompeo January 23, 2017 April 26, 2018 1 year, 94 days
7 Gina Haspel official CIA portrait (cropped).jpg Haspel, GinaGina Haspel April 26, 2018 May 21, 2018 26 days
May 21, 2018 January 20, 2021 2 years, 245 days
David Cohen official CIA portrait.jpg Cohen, DavidDavid Cohen
Acting
January 20, 2021 March 19, 2021 59 days Biden, JoeJoe Biden
(2021–2025)
8 CIA Director Burns.jpg Burns, BillBill Burns March 19, 2021 January 20, 2025 3 years, 308 days

Burns, MauraMaura Burns
Acting

January 20, 2025 0 years, 0 days Trump, DonaldDonald Trump
(2025–present)
Sylvester, TomTom Sylvester
Acting
January 20, 2025 January 23, 2025 0 years, 3 days
9 Official Portrait of CIA Director John Ratcliffe.webp Ratcliffe, JohnJohn Ratcliffe January 23, 2025 Incumbent 0 years, 175 days

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Director de la Agencia Central de Inteligencia para niños

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