Trump nominates Jay Clayton as next intelligence chief
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has chosen Jay Clayton, former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to succeed Tulsi Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence.
TL;DR
- Jay Clayton, former SEC chairman, has been nominated by President Trump to be the next Director of National Intelligence.
- Clayton would succeed Tulsi Gabbard in the role, and the position would be part of Trump's Cabinet.
- The nomination occurs as Section 702 of FISA, a foreign surveillance program, is set to expire due to a failure to pass a short-term extension.
- Democrats are holding up the renewal of the FISA program until top housing official Bill Pulte, who lacks national security experience, is removed as interim director.
- Clayton's nomination does not change the Democratic stance on renewing the FISA program.
- Republicans have praised Clayton's qualifications, while some Democrats have expressed respect for him, though concerns exist regarding his past remarks on California's voting process.
- Clayton previously served as SEC chairman from May 2017 to December 2020.