Jay Clayton confirmed as new US intelligence chief

The US Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton as the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI). President Donald Trump delayed his nomination process for several weeks before he finally secured the permanent position, according to US news agency AP.

Clayton, the former Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was confirmed along party lines by a vote of 51-47. Republicans had sought to finalise his confirmation as early as June. However, Trump delayed the hearings himself to allow Bill Pulte, who had been serving as acting director following the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard, to remain in the role for some time.

Pulte, a former housing regulator with no intelligence experience, had raised concerns among senators from both parties from the outset. During his tenure, Trump used a White House address to repeat claims about the 2020 election and declassified documents to support his assertions.

Clayton's nomination also caused unease among Democrats. In a contentious hearing two weeks earlier, he repeatedly declined to directly acknowledge former President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory, costing him bipartisan support. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said after the hearing that while he had initially supported Clayton, he was deeply disappointed by his subsequent positions and would oppose his nomination.

After the vote, Trump praised Clayton on social media, writing that Jay was "excellent in every way" and would do a "fantastic job" as director. Clayton will now be responsible for coordinating the US's 18 intelligence agencies and preparing the daily intelligence briefing for the President.