The Senate Intelligence Committee has rescheduled the confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton, President Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence (DNI), for Wednesday. The initial hearing was postponed after President Trump declared he would not approve FISA reauthorization without the SAVE America Act being tied to it.
Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, is seeking the permanent DNI role following the departure of former DNI Tulsi Gabbard. He previously served as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton, R-Ark., expressed support for Clayton, stating, "Jay Clayton is a patriot and highly qualified nominee. In his service to the people of New York, Mr. Clayton has deep experience combatting a wide range of national security threats. I look forward to his hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee tomorrow."
Clayton's nomination became entangled in a political dispute over the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Democrats had expressed concerns over the appointment of Bill Pulte as acting DNI, arguing he was unqualified and could be used to weaponize intelligence agencies. In response to the Pulte appointment, some Democrats withheld support for the FISA reauthorization, causing the program to begin shutting down.
Clayton's nomination was viewed by some Democrats as an attempt by the administration to ensure Pulte would not permanently hold the DNI position and to restart discussions on FISA reauthorization. However, President Trump publicly halted the process on Truth Social, demanding that Clayton's replacement in the Southern District, James McDonald, be confirmed. Trump also insisted that Republicans tie the SAVE America Act to FISA, a move he characterized as a strategy to pressure Democrats.
If confirmed, Clayton's appointment could help to revive efforts to reauthorize FISA, a key counter-terrorism tool. Several Democrats had previously voted to confirm Clayton as SEC chair, suggesting a potential path for bipartisan support.