Trump: US Intel Chief Coats to Leave Office August 15

By Staff, Agencies

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that US intelligence chief Dan Coats will leave office on August 15, the latest high-profile departure from his turnover-plagued administration.

Earlier reports speculated the resignation, claiming Coats had been at odds with Trump since taking office over thorny issues like Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Trump tweeted that he plans to nominate Congressman John Ratcliffe of Texas as the new Director of National Intelligence, and thanked Coats "for his great service to our Country."

Ratcliffe, a Republican, was seen strongly defending Trump at a recent congressional hearing on  Special Counsel Robert Mueller's testimony.

The director of national intelligence post was created after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The New York Times was the first to report that the resignation was expected to take place in "the coming days," citing sources familiar with the situation.