washington president-elect donald trump thursday pick former u.s. senator dan coat director national intelligence two senior transition officials say put stamp u.s. intelligence community frequently criticize official announcement expect week trump make decisions remain major position must fill prepare take white house jan. 20. coat 73 traditional conservative indiana finish six-year term u.s. senate also u.s. ambassador germany republican president george w. bush coat would excellent choice senate intelligence chairman richard burr north carolina republican tell reporters dan get experience get leadership skills ambassador think time committee serve understand role entail one democratic official familiar coat background view describe reasonable guy another u.s. official familiar intelligence matter say well respect side aisle source close transition say trump also consider new jersey governor chris christie job christie choose take trump repeatedly express doubt u.s. intelligence community assessment russia hand hack presidential campaign democratic official say coat know lot europe russia might butt head trump russia president-elect get brief intelligence community find topic senior u.s. officials friday trump tower new york u.s. intelligence officials thursday welcome coat selection say hop appointment sign trump seek mend fence intelligence community months enmity assessment russia try influence 2016 election hack one official speak condition anonymity discuss domestic political issue say hop confirm senate coat could negotiate call truce intelligence community trump choice national security adviser retire army lieutenant general mike flynn fire defense intelligence agency director current director national intelligence jam clapper coat vigorous defender government surveillance program vote congressional reform national security agency bulk collection u.s. call record 2015. senate intelligence committee coat also join republican members 2014 approve minority report defend cia use harsh interrogation methods detainees secret foreign prisons say program save live play vital role weaken al qaida conclusion contrast majority report find program fail produce significant intelligence cia mislead bush administration congress american public use so-called enhance interrogation techniques techniques include waterboarding simulate drown condemn torture president barack obama senior officials lawmakers human right experts trump also near decisions two cabinet position agriculture secretary secretary veterans affairs announcements expect soon source close transition say lead candidate lead u.s. department agriculture former georgia governor sonny perdue although one source say idaho governor butch otter also mix veterans affairs trump meet tuesday leo mackay jr. former deputy secretary veterans affairs senior vice president lockheed martin corp lmt.n cabinet post trump pick former u.s. senator coat director national intelligence