Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee on July 15 for a confirmation hearing to become the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The hearing follows President Donald Trump’s formal nomination of Clayton on July 1.
The position became vacant after Tulsi Gabbard resigned in May, citing a family health matter. Following her departure, President Trump appointed Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director. That move met with opposition from congressional Democrats, who requested a permanent nominee and cautioned that they might withhold support for the renewal of certain foreign intelligence authorities until a permanent DNI was named.
Clayton’s initial hearing, originally scheduled for June, was delayed by the White House shortly before it was set to begin. Despite that delay, the nominee has received bipartisan support from several members of the committee. If confirmed, Clayton will lead the nation's 18 intelligence agencies.