Jay Clayton Photo: Reuters/Jeenah Moon
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Clayton, stating that “few members of the legal community are held in such high regard as Jay.” The president urged the Senate to confirm Clayton’s nomination as soon as possible. According to Reuters, Clayton’s nomination was promoted by CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
Clayton currently serves as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Reuters describes this position as one of the most influential in the country. Clayton oversees several high-profile cases, including a drug trafficking investigation against former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. In addition, Clayton’s subordinates played a key role in examining documents related to the case of financier Jeffrey Epstein.
From 2017 to 2020, during Trump’s first presidential term, Clayton served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In that role, he earned a reputation as a moderate politician who sought consensus with Democrats.
Jay Clayton has no experience in intelligence or national security. Previously, lawmakers criticized Trump’s ally, Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte, for lacking such experience. The U.S. president appointed him to this post on June 2.
Against the backdrop of Bill Pulte’s appointment as director, the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) has stalled. Representatives of the U.S. Democratic Party stated that they would not support the extension of the law as long as Pulte heads national intelligence. Democrats and some Republicans fear that he may use his position to persecute Trump’s critics.
Previously, Pulte, who also heads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, had similarly used confidential mortgage data.
Pulte succeeded Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. She had held the position since February 2025. Gabbard resigned in mid-May, citing her husband’s illness as the reason for her decision. According to Reuters, she was forced to step down due to disagreements with the White House.
