WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence Tuesday, placing a permanent leader over the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies during a prolonged lapse in a major federal surveillance authority.
Clayton was confirmed 51-47 along party lines, with Republicans supporting President Donald Trump’s nominee and Democrats opposing him. He succeeds acting director Bill Pulte, who had led the intelligence office since mid-June and announced staff reductions totaling about 30%.
Clayton previously served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although he lacks a traditional intelligence background, supporters cited his management experience and involvement in terrorism and national-security prosecutions.
Democrats criticized Clayton for declining during his confirmation hearing to state directly that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Clayton instead said Biden had been certified through the Electoral College and argued that the intelligence office should focus on foreign interference rather than domestic political disputes.
His confirmation comes as Congress remains deadlocked over renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The authority permits warrantless surveillance of foreign targets located overseas, although Americans’ communications may be collected incidentally.
Trump has demanded that renewal be linked to the SAVE America Act, which would impose identification and citizenship-documentation requirements for federal elections. Senate Democrats have not provided the votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
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