Trump Nominates Jay Clayton as DNI, Drawing Bipartisan Praise Ahead of 61-37 Senate Test
Updated
Updated · The White House · Jun 16
Trump Nominates Jay Clayton as DNI, Drawing Bipartisan Praise Ahead of 61-37 Senate Test
3 articles · Updated · The White House · Jun 16
Summary
Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and former SEC chair, was tapped by President Donald Trump to lead U.S. intelligence as Director of National Intelligence.
Support came quickly from both parties, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton and Democratic Sen. Mark Warner all praising Clayton’s qualifications and signaling a smooth review.
Lawmakers pointed to Clayton’s record prosecuting terrorists, cartels and other national security threats, alongside his prior experience running the SEC, as evidence he can manage and reorganize the intelligence community.
Senators repeatedly called for a fast confirmation, noting Clayton already cleared the chamber once in 2017 by a 61-37 vote to become SEC chair.