Article snippet: WASHINGTON — President Trump’s pick for national intelligence director has been mayor of a small Texas city, a federal prosecutor, and a member of Congress. But questions were already emerging Monday about whether those qualifications are adequate for the position as the nation confronts threats that include foreign election interference, North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and the risk of war with Iran. Representative John Ratcliffe is also known as a Trump loyalist, which makes his lack of relevant experience even more striking at a time when current and former government officials expect Russia to interfere in the 2020 presidential election just as it did in unprecedented fashion when Trump first ran. ‘‘Ratcliffe comes to the job with the least national security experience and the most partisan political experience of any previous director of national intelligence,’’ said Mike Morell, a former acting CIA director who now hosts the ‘‘Intelligence Matters’’ podcast. The director of national intelligence has oversight of the nation’s 17 intelligence agencies. If confirmed, Ratcliffe would be the principal intelligence adviser to Trump, who has appeared determined to surround himself with vocal protectors and defenders even in national security positions that haven’t historically been perceived as overtly partisan. It is unclear, for instance, what experience he will bring in helping thwart foreign government efforts to interfere in American politics. Also unknown is... Link to the full article to read more