SouthernWorldwide.com – President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Jay Clayton, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and current U.S. Attorney, has been nominated to be the next permanent Director of National Intelligence.
This nomination follows a short tenure by the acting Director, William Pulte, who assumed the role after Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation.
“I am pleased to announce the Nomination of very Highly Respected Jay Clayton, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the former Head of Sullivan & Cromwell, one of the most prominent and successful Law Firms anywhere in the World, and the current United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to be the next Director of National Intelligence and, importantly, to serve in my Cabinet,” Trump stated in a post on Truth Social.
“Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay,” he further commented.
“I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible,” Trump urged.
Jay Clayton will require confirmation from the Senate before he can officially assume the position of Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
This development comes after Trump initially selected Pulte to serve as the acting director of national intelligence.
Critics had raised concerns that Pulte lacked the necessary intelligence and national security experience typically associated with overseeing the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies.
Trump’s choice to appoint Pulte also generated considerable opposition on Capitol Hill, leading to a stalemate in Congress.
Democrats had indicated their intention to block the renewal of critical foreign intelligence authorities unless the administration rescinded Pulte’s appointment and put forward a permanent nominee.
Clayton is recognized for leading one of the nation’s leading federal prosecutorial districts and is known for his involvement in high-profile cases, including the prosecution of Nicolás Maduro.
Tulsi Gabbard had resigned in May, stating her decision to step down as Director of National Intelligence was primarily to care for her husband.
