President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will nominate Jay Clayton, the former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and current U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to serve as the next director of national intelligence.
The announcement comes after Trump’s temporary decision to name Bill Pulte as acting director drew criticism from lawmakers concerned about his lack of intelligence experience. Clayton’s nomination appears aimed at moving toward a permanent Senate-confirmed leader for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees coordination across the U.S. intelligence community.
Trump announced the nomination in a Truth Social post, praising Clayton’s legal background and reputation. He described Clayton as “very highly respected” and noted his past roles leading the SEC, working at Sullivan & Cromwell, and serving as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
“I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible,” Trump wrote.
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If confirmed, Clayton would replace the temporary leadership arrangement created after Tulsi Gabbard stepped down as director of national intelligence. Gabbard’s resignation opened a vacancy at a sensitive time for U.S. intelligence policy, with Congress debating surveillance powers, national security priorities, and the future direction of the intelligence community under Trump’s second term.
The DNI position is one of the most important national security jobs in the federal government. The director serves as the president’s top intelligence adviser and coordinates the work of 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA, NSA, FBI intelligence divisions, and military intelligence components.
Clayton is best known for his work in financial regulation and law, not intelligence operations. He served as SEC chairman during Trump’s first term and later became U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the most high-profile federal prosecutor offices in the country. That office handles major cases involving financial crime, public corruption, terrorism, organized crime, cybercrime, and national security matters.
Supporters of Clayton may argue that his legal and management experience makes him a more conventional choice than Pulte, whose temporary appointment triggered immediate pushback. Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was criticized by Democrats and some Republicans who questioned whether he had enough intelligence or national security experience for the role.
The controversy over Pulte also became tied to a broader fight over Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a key surveillance authority used to collect foreign intelligence. CBS News reported that the dispute over intelligence leadership contributed to a Capitol Hill stalemate over extending the authority, which is set to expire soon.
Reuters reported that Clayton’s nomination may not immediately resolve all congressional concerns, since he also lacks a traditional intelligence background. However, his long legal career and Senate-confirmed experience at the SEC could make him easier for some lawmakers to support than Pulte.
The nomination will now move to the Senate, where Clayton is expected to face questions about his intelligence priorities, his view of surveillance authorities, and how he would manage the intelligence community during a period of global instability.
Lawmakers may also press him on Trump’s stated desire to downsize parts of the intelligence office. Earlier reports said Trump instructed Pulte, as incoming acting DNI, to begin reducing the size of the office. Clayton may now have to explain whether he supports those plans, how he would implement reforms, and how he would balance cost-cutting with national security responsibilities.
The timing is also significant. The United States is facing active security challenges involving Iran, Russia, China, cyber threats, terrorism, and intelligence-sharing with allies. A leadership vacancy or prolonged confirmation fight could complicate coordination across agencies.
For Trump, the Clayton nomination gives the White House a chance to reset the debate. Instead of defending Pulte’s temporary role, the administration can now present Clayton as a serious legal figure with government experience and a record of managing major institutions.
For the Senate, the question will be whether Clayton’s legal résumé is enough for a job traditionally associated with intelligence expertise. Some lawmakers may welcome the move away from Pulte, while others may still demand clearer answers on surveillance, intelligence reform, and the future of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Clayton’s path to confirmation may depend on whether Republicans stay unified and whether Democrats choose to treat the nomination as a national security matter or as part of a wider fight over Trump’s intelligence agenda.
Why It Matters
This nomination matters because the director of national intelligence oversees the coordination of America’s intelligence agencies and advises the president on major national security threats. A permanent leader could help stabilize the office after criticism over the temporary appointment of Bill Pulte.
It also matters because Clayton’s background is mainly in law and financial regulation, not traditional intelligence work. That is likely to become a central issue during Senate confirmation hearings.
What Comes Next
Clayton’s nomination will go to the Senate for confirmation. Lawmakers are expected to question him about intelligence reform, surveillance powers, agency coordination, and whether he supports plans to downsize parts of the DNI office.
The Senate’s response will determine whether Trump quickly gets a permanent intelligence chief or faces another fight over national security leadership.
Trump’s nomination of Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence, noting the move followed pushback over Bill Pulte’s temporary acting role.
NEW: President Trump is nominating former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence, following pushback from lawmakers over Bill Pulte, who was named to serve as acting DNI, @markpmeredith reports. | @AmericaRpts @johnrobertsFox pic.twitter.com/cr4P3amOhH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 11, 2026
