Director of the Central Intelligence Agency facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Flag of the Central Intelligence Agency
Seal of the Central Intelligence Agency
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.

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.

No.	Image	Name	Start	End	Duration	President
1		Goss, PorterPorter Goss	December 17, 2004	May 5, 2006	1 year, 24 days		Bush, George W.George W. Bush (2001–2009)
2		Hayden, MichaelMichael Hayden	May 30, 2006	February 12, 2009	2 years, 260 days
3		Panetta, LeonLeon Panetta	February 13, 2009	June 30, 2011	2 years, 138 days		Obama, BarackBarack Obama (2009–2017)
–		Morell, MichaelMichael Morell Acting	July 1, 2011	September 6, 2011	68 days
4		Petraeus, DavidDavid Petraeus	September 6, 2011	November 9, 2012	1 year, 66 days
–		Morell, MichaelMichael Morell Acting	November 9, 2012	March 8, 2013	130 days
5		Brennan, JohnJohn Brennan	March 8, 2013	January 20, 2017	3 years, 320 days
–		Park, MeroeMeroe Park Acting	January 20, 2017	January 23, 2017	3 days		Trump, DonaldDonald Trump (2017–2021)
6		Pompeo, MikeMike Pompeo	January 23, 2017	April 26, 2018	1 year, 94 days
7		Haspel, GinaGina Haspel	April 26, 2018	May 21, 2018	26 days
			May 21, 2018	January 20, 2021	2 years, 245 days
–		Cohen, DavidDavid Cohen Acting	January 20, 2021	March 19, 2021	59 days		Biden, JoeJoe Biden (2021–2025)
8		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		Ratcliffe, JohnJohn Ratcliffe	January 23, 2025	Incumbent	0 years, 175 days

See also

In Spanish: Director de la Agencia Central de Inteligencia para niños

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