President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is nominating Jay Clayton to serve as the next U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI), replacing outgoing intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard.
The nomination comes after lawmakers from both parties criticised Trump's choice of housing official Bill Pulte to temporarily lead the nation's intelligence community.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Clayton's legal career and urged the Senate to move quickly on his confirmation.
"Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay," Trump wrote, calling for swift Senate approval.
Clayton currently serves as the chief federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York and previously chaired the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first administration. As a prosecutor, he has overseen several high-profile cases, including charges against former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Despite his extensive legal background, Clayton has little direct experience in intelligence or national security matters. His nomination is likely to face scrutiny from lawmakers who have raised concerns about appointing officials without traditional intelligence credentials to one of the government's most sensitive positions.
The Director of National Intelligence oversees coordination among 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA and the National Security Agency.
Trump confirmed that Pulte will assume the role of acting DNI on 19 June while Clayton's nomination moves through the Senate confirmation process. Pulte will replace Gabbard, whose resignation becomes effective at the end of June.
Pulte's appointment sparked bipartisan criticism because he lacks intelligence and national security experience. Several lawmakers argued that the move could undermine confidence in the intelligence community's leadership during a period of global tensions.
The nomination also arrives amidst a dispute in Congress over the renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a key surveillance authority used to monitor foreign threats.
Earlier Thursday, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives rejected a short-term extension of the programme. Democratic lawmakers have argued that concerns surrounding Pulte's appointment complicated negotiations over renewing the surveillance powers before they expire.
Whether Clayton's nomination will ease opposition and help break the deadlock remains unclear, but it represents Trump's effort to install a permanent intelligence chief after days of criticism surrounding the temporary leadership arrangement.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Ho...
Search and rescue teams from several countries have rescued a 44-year-old security guard who survived for more than a week beneath the ruins of a coll...
Russia is facing widening fuel shortages across multiple regions after sustained Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries and fuel depots disrupted domes...
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has formally apologised on behalf of the British state for its role in the historical forced adoption of babies in Engl...
More than 17 million people across northern Nigeria are facing severe hunger as conflict, displacement and funding shortages drive food insecurity to ...
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Search and rescue teams from several countries have rescued a 44-year-old security guard who survived for more than a week beneath the ruins of a collapsed shopping centre in Venezuela, offering a rare moment of hope amid an earthquake disaster that has claimed thousands of lives.
Russia is facing widening fuel shortages across multiple regions after sustained Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries and fuel depots disrupted domestic oil processing and distribution networks, according to reports from affected areas and official statements.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has formally apologised on behalf of the British state for its role in the historical forced adoption of babies in England and Wales, acknowledging the "lifelong trauma" suffered by mothers, children and families.
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win, while Erling Haaland sent Norway through and Kylian Mbappé fired France into the last 16.
Search and rescue teams from several countries have rescued a 44-year-old security guard who survived for more than a week beneath the ruins of a collapsed shopping centre in Venezuela, offering a rare moment of hope amid an earthquake disaster that has claimed thousands of lives.
Russia is facing widening fuel shortages across multiple regions after sustained Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries and fuel depots disrupted domestic oil processing and distribution networks, according to reports from affected areas and official statements.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has formally apologised on behalf of the British state for its role in the historical forced adoption of babies in England and Wales, acknowledging the "lifelong trauma" suffered by mothers, children and families.
More than 17 million people across northern Nigeria are facing severe hunger as conflict, displacement and funding shortages drive food insecurity to its worst levels in nearly a decade, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday (2 July).
In La Guaira, Venezuela's worst-hit coastal state, makeshift command centres have been established inside schools as volunteers coordinate shelter operations for thousands of people displaced by last week's twin earthquakes.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment