Jay Clayton confirmed by Senate as Trump's national intelligence chief
The US Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence, filling a post left unsettled since Tulsi Gabbard's resignation earlier this year. He replaces Bill Pulte, who had run the office on an acting basis. Clayton, a former SEC chair, now oversees the coordination of the country's 18 intelligence agencies.
The Senate confirmed Jay Clayton on Tuesday as the new director of national intelligence, filling a post that has been unsettled since Tulsi Gabbard's resignation earlier this year. Clayton, who chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term, now takes over the office that oversees and coordinates the work of the country's 18 intelligence agencies.
He replaces Bill Pulte, who had served as acting director for months after Gabbard's departure. Pulte, better known for his role atop the Federal Housing Finance Agency, faced repeated questions from lawmakers over his limited intelligence background while holding the post on a temporary basis.
Clayton's confirmation comes as the administration juggles several active national security files, including the pause in strikes on Iran and continued support for Ukraine. Senators from both parties pressed him during hearings on how he intends to manage overlapping crises across the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
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