President Donald Trump said Thursday he will nominate Jay Clayton to be director of national intelligence, hours after House Democrats’ objections to Trump’s incoming acting DNI, Bill Pulte, ensured a key national security tool will be eliminated this week.
Clayton is currently the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He must be confirmed as DNI by the Senate.
Trump’s surprise announcement comes more than a week after he was hit with controversy over appointing Pulte, a top federal housing official, to the acting role to replace current DNI Tulsi Gabbard when she leaves the post.
Trump said Wednesday that Pulte will take on the role on June 19 as he searches for a permanent DNI.
Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, speaks during a press conference in New York City, US, on December 10, 2025.
Jinnah Moon reuters
The DNI oversees the broader US intelligence community, including the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency.
Hours before Trump’s announcement, the House of Representatives last Friday rejected a proposal to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act after Democrats refused to support the measure because of Trump’s choice of Pulte.
Trump called Clayton “very honored” in a Truth Social post announcing the nomination.
“Few people anywhere in the legal community are respected at Jay’s level,” Trump wrote.
“I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible.”
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