According to a report by Daily Post on Thursday June 11, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Jay Clayton to serve as the next Director of National Intelligence, calling on the Senate to fast-track his confirmation.
Trump announced the decision in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, stating that Clayton is his choice for the country’s top intelligence role. Clayton currently serves as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Clayton previously led the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump’s first term, holding the position from May 2017 to December 2020.
The nomination comes after Trump earlier appointed Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, following indications that then-DNI Tulsi Gabbard planned to step down at the end of June. However, Pulte’s temporary appointment drew criticism from lawmakers, particularly Democrats, who pointed to his lack of national security experience.
Opposition in Congress also raised concerns about the future of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a key surveillance authority introduced after the September 11 attacks. The law allows U.S. intelligence agencies, including the NSA and FBI, to collect communications of non-U.S. persons located abroad through American tech companies.
Clayton’s nomination is expected to face Senate scrutiny as lawmakers debate both his qualifications and broader intelligence oversight issues.
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