Trump to nominate career government official Lukas as No. 2 spy chief, source says

WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to nominate Aaron Lukas, a career government official, as deputy to newly confirmed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a source familiar with the plan said.

Gabbard, a former U.S. representative with little intelligence experience, was confirmed as the top U.S. spy last week in a 52 to 48 vote, mostly along party lines.

Lukas, who worked as an intelligence aide to then acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell in 2020 during Trump's first term, would bring years of national security experience to the post of principal deputy director of national intelligence, a role that requires Senate confirmation.

The White House had no immediate comment.

Lukas, who has been a foreign service officer for over 21 years, worked as senior director for Europe and Russia at the White House National Security Council in the final year of Trump's first term. Before joining the foreign service, he worked at the Cato Institute, a Libertarian think tank.