New Intelligence Director named

Trump taps prosecutor Jay Clayton for director of national intelligence, aiming to break FISA standoff

President Trump announced Thursday that he is nominating Jay Clayton, the current U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to serve as the next director of national intelligence, a move designed to end a Capitol Hill standoff that has stalled renewal of a key surveillance authority days before it lapses.

Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, praising Clayton's standing in the legal community and pressing the Senate to act fast.

"Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay. I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible."

Within hours, the Senate Select Intelligence Committee scheduled a confirmation hearing for Clayton on June 17.

The speed matters. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the surveillance tool at the center of the dispute, is set to lapse this weekend, and neither chamber has managed to push through even a short-term extension.

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