Trump nominates Jay Clayton as national intelligence director
Jay Clayton nomination to lead DNI could reshape U.S. intelligence oversight See what the pick means for the CIA, NSA, and a fast Senate fight
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will nominate Jay Clayton to lead the U.S. intelligence community as director of national intelligence. Clayton is currently the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The nomination needs Senate approval. Trump made the move after criticism of his earlier decision to have housing official Bill Pulte serve as acting DNI, a choice that had drawn objections from House Democrats and added pressure around a pending FISA Section 702 extension.
The DNI oversees agencies including the CIA and NSA. Senate Republican leaders signaled they would try to move Clayton’s confirmation quickly, while some Democrats said the timing was late and argued the White House should have acted sooner.