President-elect Donald Trump is weighing Sen. Dan Coasts (R-Ind.) for director of National Intelligence, according to a new report.
A senior Trump transition source said Wednesday that Coats, 73, is in the running to replace outgoing spy chief James Clapper, Politico reported.
{mosads}Coats, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, journeyed to Trump Tower in New York City earlier Wednesday to meet with the future president.
The Indiana lawmaker refused comment on what, if any, role he might assume in the incoming Trump administration after their meeting.
“I didn’t come here to be asked to be considered for anything,” Coats said, according to pool reports. “I told him I want to assist wherever I can but I’m not seeking a specific position.
“I was invited here just to sit down and discuss a number of issues that the president would be facing and I gave him some of my years of experience in terms of what I thought they would be dealing with and made some suggestions.”
Coats told assembled journalists he offered Trump insight from his tenures on the Armed Services, Finance and Intelligence committees.
The lawmaker announced in March he would not seek reelection in 2018 after a decade in the Senate and four terms in the House.
Coats, who also served as ambassador to Germany, would lead 17 federal agencies should he take control of the U.S. intelligence community.
Politico said Wednesday Adm. Mike Rogers, the National Security Agency director, has also been floated for director of National Intelligence.
Clapper, who currently holds the post, announced his resignation earlier this month, effective upon President Obama’s departure from office.
The director of national intelligence was created after the 9/11 terror attacks as part of a massive government shakeup meant to improve communication between intelligence agencies.