Trump nominates Jay Clayton to be next intelligence chief

Published 11 Jun, 2026 11:52pm 1 min read
Jay Clayton, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York speaks during a press conference at the New York Police Department headquarters in New York City, US, on March 9, 2026. Reuters
Jay Clayton, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York speaks during a press conference at the New York Police Department headquarters in New York City, US, on March 9, 2026. Reuters

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he ​is nominating federal prosecutor Jay Clayton ‌to be the next director of national intelligence, following pushback from US lawmakers over ​his pick to fill the role ​temporarily.

“Few people anywhere in the Legal ⁠Community are respected at the level ​of Jay. I encourage the United ​States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible,” Trump said in Truth Social post.

Clayton ​is currently US attorney for the ​Southern District of New York and a former ‌chairman ⁠of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Trump said loyalist and head of the federal housing agency Bill Pulte would take ​over as ​acting director ⁠on June 19 to replace Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned effective ​June 30.

Pulte’s appointment sparked a ​political ⁠standoff that has derailed renewal of an expiring surveillance law.

The Republican-controlled US House ⁠of ​Representatives on Thursday rejected ​a short-term extension of foreign surveillance powers sought ​by Trump.

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