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Exclusive: Trump’s ‘Quiet Hammer’ – How CIA Director John Ratcliffe Has Revitalized the Agency in the First Year Back in Office

Palm Beach, FL — January 26, 2026 — In an exclusive Breitbart News investigation, sources close to the White House reveal that CIA Director John Ratcliffe has emerged as President Donald Trump’s “quiet hammer,” a key architect behind a dramatic transformation of the intelligence community during Trump’s return to office.

Less than a year into his second term, Ratcliffe has demonstrated a relentless focus on restoring the CIA’s core mission—defending American interests with precision and assertiveness. His strategic operations and reforms have repositioned the Agency as a formidable tool aligned with the administration’s “America First” policies, according to multiple officials and insiders familiar with his tenure.

This new approach began shortly after the daring operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuela’s ousted leader Nicolas Maduro. Within just 12 days, Ratcliffe was dispatched to Caracas to meet with acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, marking the first high-level U.S. official visit to Venezuela since Maduro’s removal. His mission underscored a decisive shift toward active, covert engagement in key global hotspots.

“Ratcliffe has become Trump’s quiet hammer,” a White House source told Breitbart News. “He operates behind the scenes, accomplishing critical missions with speed and discretion. The Agency now embodies the President’s vision—focused, aggressive, and unapologetically committed to defending American sovereignty.”

Reforming the CIA’s Culture and Focus

Under Ratcliffe’s leadership, the CIA has undergone significant reforms, particularly in reversing the politicization that hampered its effectiveness in recent years. A major move involved dismantling all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, restoring a merit-based culture that emphasizes operational excellence and intelligence integrity.

CIA Director of Public Affairs Liz Lyons affirmed these changes: “Under Director Ratcliffe, the CIA is back to emphasizing mission-critical objectives. We’re taking calculated risks to give the United States a decisive advantage, especially in the Middle East and Western Hemisphere.”

Ratcliffe has also prioritized transparency and accountability. He declassified thousands of documents, including records related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., and released an internal review of analytic tradecraft following the 2016 Russia collusion assessments, exposing misjudgments and politicization within the intelligence community.

Additionally, Ratcliffe collaborated with Attorney General Pam Bondi to declassify portions of the Durham report, which confirmed that the so-called “Russia collusion” investigation was based on falsified information. He also made public assessments suggesting the COVID-19 virus likely originated from a laboratory leak, aligning with ongoing investigations.

Restoring Assets and Operational Effectiveness

A key indicator of Ratcliffe’s success is the resurgence of CIA assets and operational capacity. At his desk, he keeps a classified chart tracking asset recruitment and intelligence collection metrics, frequently referencing it to motivate and assess agency performance.

In interviews, Ratcliffe emphasized the importance of increasing foreign assets, particularly within adversaries’ ranks. The CIA has launched targeted recruitment efforts, including Mandarin-language videos aimed at enticing Chinese officials to cooperate with U.S. intelligence efforts. These initiatives have reportedly yielded promising results, significantly enhancing intelligence on China’s activities.

Streamlining Operations and Expanding Capabilities

Ratcliffe has overseen the consolidation of operational centers, merging regional and thematic units to improve coordination. Notably, the creation of the Americas and Counternarcotics Mission Center (ACMC) and the new Cyber Intelligence Center (CCI) exemplify efforts to adapt to evolving threats.

He has also prioritized technological innovation, pushing for expanded use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced tools to maintain an edge over adversaries.

Major Operations and Global Impact

The CIA’s operational achievements under Ratcliffe’s leadership include several high-profile missions that underscore the agency’s revitalized role in global security. Among these, the most notable has been Operation Absolute Resolve, which led to the successful capture of Venezuelan operatives, including the high-value target “Jafar,” or Mohammad Sharifullah. This operation sent a clear message worldwide that President Trump’s America would no longer tolerate terrorism and chaos.

Furthermore, the Agency played an instrumental role in the covert strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities last summer through Operation Midnight Hammer. Technical intelligence provided by the CIA informed military planning and post-strike assessments, confirming the decapitation of Iran’s nuclear program for the time being.

A New Era of Assertive Intelligence

Dr. Sebastian Gorka, former Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, praised Ratcliffe’s efforts: “When I saw Jafar’s eyes upon his capture, I saw true evil. Ratcliffe and the CIA have reestablished American credibility and delivered justice where it’s needed most.”

As President Trump’s administration continues its strategic push to restore America’s global dominance, Ratcliffe’s “quiet hammer” approach signals a decisive shift toward proactive, forceful intelligence operations rooted in a clear mission—delivering results for the American people and safeguarding national security.