Senate Confirms Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence
The Senate confirmed Jay Clayton, President Trump's nominee, as director of national intelligence in a party-line 51-47 vote, after his nomination advanced through committee and procedural votes. Outlets differed in emphasis: some highlighted his refusal to affirm Biden's 2020 election win and lack of prior intelligence experience, while others focused on the procedural timeline and the transition from outgoing acting official Bill Pulte.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Jay Clayton, President Trump's nominee, as director of national intelligence on July 28, 2026, in a 51-47 party-line vote, with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed. Clayton succeeds Bill Pulte, a housing official who had been serving in the role despite limited national security experience; Pulte said he would hand over intelligence duties to Clayton the following Monday. Clayton's nomination followed the rejection of Trump's original pick, who lawmakers said lacked relevant experience. The nomination advanced through several stages: the Senate Intelligence Committee approved it on a 9-8 party-line vote around July 21-22, 2026, after Clayton, during his confirmation hearing, repeatedly declined to say that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. That refusal reportedly caused some Democrats who had initially expressed support to withdraw it. The full Senate then cleared a procedural hurdle on a 51-43 vote on July 27, 2026, teeing up the final confirmation vote the next day. Clayton is a federal prosecutor by background. Following confirmation, Clayton is set to take over leadership of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence from Pulte. Some reporting noted his confirmation could affect the status of a Section 702 FISA surveillance program described as being in limbo, though the connection and current operational status of that program remain unresolved. The precise date and details of the handover process, as well as further details of the original rejected nominee, were not consistently specified across reports.
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Trump’s housing regulator Bill Pulte says he’ll hand over intel reins to Jay Clayton on Monday
Read original report ↗Trump's new spy chief Jay Clayton confirmed by US Senate
Jay Clayton's confirmation comes after the US president's original choice was rejected by lawmakers due to lack of relevant experience
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If the full Senate confirms him as expected, Mr. Clayton will take over the Office of the Director of National Intelligence from Bill Pulte, a housing official with little national security experience.
Read original report ↗Senate confirms Trump ally Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence
At confirmation hearing, Clayton sidestepped questions about 2020 election and declined to say Trump lost Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email The US Senate voted to confirm Jay Clayton as the director of national intelligence on Tuesday, giving Trump another key ally directing the nation’s intelligence apparatus. The tally, 51-47, fell along party lines, with all Republicans supporting his nomination and all Democrats opposing it. Continue reading...
Read original report ↗Senate confirms Jay Clayton as new director of intelligence
The Senate approved federal prosecutor Jay Clayton as the next director of national intelligence.
Read original report ↗Senate committee advances Clayton's nomination for intelligence chief
The Senate Intelligence Committee advanced Jay Clayton's nomination for director of national intelligence, despite opposition from Democrats.
Read original report ↗Senate panel advances Jay Clayton's nomination for director of national intelligence
The 9-8 vote came after some Democrats had praised Clayton and indicated that they might vote for him. But that shifted after a contentious hearing last week in which Clayton repeatedly refused to say that former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
Read original report ↗Senate tees up final vote on Jay Clayton intel chief nomination
The Senate cleared a final procedural hurdle Monday night on President Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), teeing up Jay Clayton for a final vote this week. The 51-43 vote to advance the nomination means the Senate could confirm Clayton as early as Tuesday night to be the...
Read original report ↗Senate clears way for Trump's top spy as key anti-terror program remains in limbo
Jay Clayton's Senate confirmation as DNI is set for Tuesday, potentially restarting the Section 702 FISA surveillance tool that went dark amid battles.
Read original report ↗Senate to hold hearing for Trump's pick to head intelligence agencies after weekslong delay
Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the nation’s intelligence agencies, will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee
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