Trump Picks Jay Clayton for Director of National Intelligence After Backlash Over Bill Pulte
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- President Trump announced he would nominate Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan and former SEC chairman, as the next director of national intelligence following backlash over his previous interim appointee.
- The initial appointment of Bill Pulte, a housing official without relevant experience, faced strong opposition from lawmakers and disrupted the reauthorization of a key government surveillance law.
- The House rejected a three-week extension of the surveillance law, which is set to expire at midnight on Friday, complicating efforts to maintain the authority before Congress adjourns.
- Trump urged the Senate via social media to confirm Clayton "as soon as possible," but the timing and congressional schedule make an immediate resolution uncertain.