Trump nominates Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence
7 verified4 unconfirmed
President Donald Trump announced Thursday he is nominating Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to serve as director of national intelligence. The nomination follows Trump’s temporary appointment of Bill Pulte as acting DNI, a move that sparked political backlash and stalled congressional efforts to renew a key surveillance law. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act section 702 is set to expire Friday after the House failed to pass a three-week extension and left for a scheduled recess. Trump announced the nomination on social media, writing that few are “respected at the level of Jay” and urging the Senate to confirm him quickly. The Senate Intelligence Committee is expected to hold a confirmation hearing for Clayton. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the chamber hopes to receive the nomination paperwork and will move quickly. Democrats have said they will not support renewing the surveillance law until Trump withdraws Pulte’s acting appointment.
What’s verified
President Trump nominated Jay Clayton to be director of national intelligence on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Clayton is the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Trump previously appointed Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting DNI.
The Pulte appointment drew criticism from Democrats and complicated congressional negotiations to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
The House failed to pass a three-week extension of the FISA 702 program on Thursday and left for a scheduled recess.
The program expires at midnight Friday, June 12, 2026.
Trump announced the nomination on Truth Social, saying, “Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay.”
Not yet confirmed
When exactly Clayton’s nomination paperwork will be submitted to the Senate.
Whether the Senate can confirm Clayton before Pulte’s scheduled takeover date of June 19.
The exact timeline for Pulte’s role after Trump said he plans to keep Pulte “for a little while.”
A specific quote from Sen. Chuck Schumer asking for Pulte to be removed came from a single report.
Key figures
Donald Trump, President of the United States
Jay Clayton, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and nominee for DNI
Bill Pulte, acting director of national intelligence and FHFA director
John Thune, Senate Majority Leader (R-SD)
Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic Leader (D-NY)
Jim Himes, Representative (D-CT)
Tulsi Gabbard, former director of national intelligence
Sources: NPR, abcnews.com
