Its clear that the SWAMP wants a DNI insider to continue the STONEWALL on DECLAS
excerpt:
"Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard M. Burr (R-N.C.), who had indicated he would move quickly on Ratcliffe’s nomination, said he has “respect” for the Texas congressman’s decision to withdraw his name. He urged the White House to move quickly on another nominee.
“As the White House determines its next nominee, I‘m heartened by the fact that ODNI has an experienced and capable leadership team to help see it through this transition,” he said, referring by acronym to the office of the director of national intelligence. “However, there is no substitute for having a Senate-confirmed director in place to lead our Intelligence Community. I remain committed to moving the official nomination through regular order once it is submitted to the Senate.”
Burr’s reference to the office’s leadership team appeared to be a signal to Trump, who had been opposed to elevating Sue Gordon, Coats’ deputy, to acting head of the office. White House officials had been looking at ways to bypass her even though, by law, she would normally take over while a permanent replacement awaited confirmation.
Gordon is a well-regarded intelligence professional who is considered politically independent, and Trump’s resistance to her has upset many Democrats and some Republicans.
“I think he’d be making a serious mistake. Sue Gordon is about the best you can get in terms of intelligence professionals,” said Larry Pfeiffer, who worked in the office when it was first created under President George W. Bush. “It just makes zero sense to appoint anybody other than Sue Gordon.”"
https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2019-08-02/trump-withdraws-ratcliffe-intelligence-chief
Is there a short list of Trump appointed Senate confirmees to choose from as acting?