U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday formally designated Richard Grenell, U.S. ambassador to Germany, as acting director of national intelligence, according to a White House statement.

"[Grenell] is committed to a non-political, non-partisan approach as head of the Intelligence Community, on which our safety and security depend," White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in the statement.

"The President has every confidence that Ambassador Grenell will perform his new duties with distinction," she said.

Grenell has served as U.S. ambassador to Germany since April 2018. He will retain that role, given he is only leading the intelligence community on an acting basis, according to a news report of The Hill.

Trump announced Wednesday via Twitter that he would give the intelligence job to Grenell.