Senate advances Jay Clayton to lead intel community
The Senate has advanced the nomination of Jay Clayton, currently Manhattan’s U.S. attorney, to become the director of national intelligence, despite a contentious confirmation process that lasted weeks. The vote was largely party-line, 51-43, and Clayton is expected to be confirmed soon. His appointment would fill the intelligence chief role vacated last month after Tulsi Gabbard’s departure.the confirmation comes after President trump had postponed his nomination earlier. Supporters highlight Clayton’s leadership experience, including prosecuting terrorists and targeting Nicolás Maduro, but Democrats oppose him, criticizing his performance during hearings and his refusal to acknowledge Biden’s 2020 election victory. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Clayton as having an “abysmal” performance.The confirmation might influence debates over extending certain intelligence laws, with some seeing it as a potential compromise.
The Senate on Monday advanced the Cabinet-level nomination of Jay Clayton to be director of national intelligence despite a turbulent confirmation process that’s been weeks in the making.
Clayton, who currently serves as the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, advanced in a party-line procedural vote, 51-43. He is expected to be confirmed as early as Tuesday.
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The successful vote puts Clayton on track for final confirmation to the role overseeing the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies that was vacated by Tulsi Gabbard last month and weeks after President Donald Trump abruptly postponed his nomination.
“Amid a heightened threat environment, having a proven leader in this role is especially important. And Jay Clayton fits the mold,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said. “He’s supervised the prosecution of terrorists and the drafting of the indictment against Nicolas Maduro on drug-trafficking and terrorism charges.”
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His confirmation, while opposed by Democrats, could offer an offramp from their refusal to provide the votes for a three-year extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act out of protest over interim DNI Bill Pulte. But Clayton’s refusal to admit during his confirmation hearing that former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election did not do him any favors among Democrats.
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) condemned Clayton’s performance as “abysmal.”
“It makes it much less likely that he will get Democratic votes,” Schumer said.
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