Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 9
Clayton Installs McDonald at SDNY Before July 15 DNI Hearing
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 9

Clayton Installs McDonald at SDNY Before July 15 DNI Hearing

3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 9

Summary

  • Clayton told SDNY staff on Wednesday that Jamie McDonald will take over the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office, and McDonald briefly addressed employees at a swearing-in ceremony.
  • The handoff is moving ahead despite Senate gridlock after Trump last month tied Clayton’s permanent DNI nomination to Senate confirmation of McDonald for the SDNY post.
  • McDonald, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor, told staff he was glad to return and said the office’s lawyers have “the best job in the world.”
  • Clayton has led SDNY for about 18 months and faces a July 15 confirmation hearing for the DNI role, while the White House still has not formally sent McDonald’s nomination to the Senate.

Insights

With its new leader's nomination unconfirmed, what is the future for SDNY’s major national security cases?
Will the new SDNY chief uphold a unique fraud policy that conflicts with the main Justice Department's rules?
How does linking top security and prosecutor nominations change the rules of high-level government appointments?