John Negroponte is leaving his job as national intelligence director to work under Condoleeza Rice, as deputy secretary of State. Associated Press reports that President Bush will nominate retired Vice Adm. Mike McConnell, with more than two decades in intelligence, to replace Negroponte. Meanwhile, at the Pentagon, the Washington Post reports that new Defense Secretary Robert Gates may tap retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper Jr. to fill the intelligence undersecretary post vacated by Stephen Cambone. Another long-time intel officer, Clapper last was head of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
House, Senate Unveil Competing Proposals for 2026 Budget
July 11, 2025
Lawmakers from the House and Senate laid out competing versions of the annual defense policy bill on July 11, with vastly different potential outcomes for some of the Air Force’s most embattled programs.