US Senate confirms Clayton as Trump’s intelligence chief

The US Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton as President Donald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, putting a permanent chief in charge of the country’s intelligence agencies as the administration revives disputed claims about the 2020 presidential election ahead of the midterm elections.

Senators voted 51-47 on Tuesday to confirm Mr. Clayton’s appointment, with all Democratic senators voting against the nomination.

“Jay is outstanding in every way, and will do a spectacular job as Director!” Mr. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social shortly after the vote.

Mr. Clayton, a former securities regulator and federal prosecutor, succeeds Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month, and takes charge of an 18-agency intelligence community that has experienced leadership changes and staff reductions.

Mr. Clayton’s appointment comes amid growing concerns that the Trump administration is drawing national security agencies into renewed efforts to challenge the outcome of the 2020 presidential election and cast doubt on the integrity of future elections.

Earlier this month, Mr. Trump used a televised White House address to release declassified intelligence which he claimed showed Chinese interference, while again asserting that the 2020 election was stolen.

Mr. Clayton replaces acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte, a Trump ally whose temporary leadership drew criticism from lawmakers in both parties due to his lack of intelligence experience.

Mr. Pulte also used his position as federal housing regulator to refer several of Mr. Trump’s political opponents for possible prosecution and oversaw significant staff reductions at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Hours before Mr. Clayton’s confirmation, Mr. Pulte announced that another round of layoffs would reduce staffing at the intelligence coordinating body by about 30 per cent within weeks.

Democrats voice concerns

Although Democrats initially viewed Mr. Clayton as a more conventional choice than Mr. Pulte, many opposed his confirmation after his Senate hearing.

When repeatedly asked whether former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election, Mr. Clayton declined to give a direct answer, saying only that Mr. Biden had been “certified” as the winner.

“I’m not an election denier,” Mr. Clayton told senators, without directly answering the question.

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner said he left the confirmation hearing with concerns about Mr. Clayton’s independence.

“I came away from his confirmation hearing with serious reservations about whether he would be willing to stand up to political pressure,” Mr. Warner said.

“I sincerely hope he proves those concerns unfounded, because the Intelligence Community deserves steadier leadership than it has received in recent months,” he added.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer had earlier described Mr. Clayton’s confirmation hearing as “abysmal.”

Republicans defend nomination

Republican senators defended Mr. Clayton, citing his record as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Mr. Trump’s first administration and his later service as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Mr. Clayton’s experience handling financial crime and national security matters made him well suited for the role amid growing global security threats.

His confirmation is also expected to revive negotiations over Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows US intelligence agencies to collect communications involving foreigners outside the United States without obtaining individual warrants.

Democrats had resisted renewing the surveillance authority while Mr. Pulte served as acting intelligence chief, citing concerns about potential abuse of power by the administration.

However, any extension of the programme is not expected before September because the House of Representatives has already adjourned for its summer recess.