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President Donald Trump announced Thursday that former SEC Chairman and current U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton will be the next permanent director of national intelligence.
The nomination followed a brief stint by acting Director William Pulte, who took over after Tulsi Gabbard stepped down.
“I am pleased to announce the Nomination of very Highly Respected Jay Clayton, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the former Head of Sullivan & Cromwell, one of the most prominent and successful Law Firms anywhere in the World, and the current United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to be the next Director of National Intelligence and, importantly, to serve in my Cabinet,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay,” he added.
“I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible,” Trump said.
TRUMP GREEN LIGHTS NEW DNI PULTE TO ‘START THE PROCESS’ ON MASS INTELLIGENCE FIRINGS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 24: Anchor Maria Bartiromo interviews chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Jay Clayton during “Mornings With Maria” at Fox Business Network Studios on February 24, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage) (John Lamparski/WireImage)
Clayton will need to be confirmed by the Senate before officially taking over as director of national intelligence (DNI).
The development came after Trump originally tapped Pulte to serve as acting director of national intelligence.
As previously reported by Fox News Digital, Pulte’s appointment, which was set to take effect June 19, became a major point of contention in negotiations already complicated by disputes over the controversial Section 702 surveillance authority.
Critics argued that Pulte lacked the intelligence and national security experience associated with overseeing the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies.
TODD BLANCHE ‘HONORED AND HUMBLED’ BY TRUMP’S AG NOMINATION AFTER EXPLOSIVE WEEK OF FEDERAL ARRESTS
A split of President Donald Trump and FHFA Director Bill Pulte. (Alex Brandon/AP; AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Trump’s decision to name Pulte also sparked significant backlash on Capitol Hill, leading to a standoff in Congress.
Democrats warned they would oppose the renewal of key foreign intelligence authorities unless the administration withdrew Pulte’s appointment and put forward a permanent nominee.
Clayton is regarded as one of the nation’s top federal prosecutorial districts and known for handling high-profile cases, including the prosecution of Nicolás Maduro.
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Tulsi Gabbard had resigned in May announcing that she was stepping down as Director of National Intelligence primarily to care for her husband.
This is a breaking story. Return for updates.
