US advances nomination of Clayton, Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence

The US Senate advanced the nomination of Manhattan US Attorney Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence, in a 51-43 procedural vote. Clayton is expected to be confirmed within days despite a tense confirmation hearing and controversy over his refusal to acknowledge Trump's 2020 election loss.

The US Senate on Monday advanced the nomination of Manhattan US Attorney Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence, in a 51-43 procedural vote along party lines. Clayton is expected to be confirmed within days despite a tense confirmation hearing. If approved, he would fill the role vacated in June when Tulsi Gabbard stepped down after clashes with congressional Democrats. Many senators are eager for Clayton to take the post because they are unhappy with interim director Bill Pulte, a Trump loyalist without national security experience who has been cutting staff. The Senate Intelligence Committee recommended Clayton in a narrow 9-8 vote last week, with only Republicans supporting him after he repeatedly refused to acknowledge that Trump lost the 2020 election. Clayton also faced questions about issuing subpoenas to New York Times journalists. The Trump administration later withdrew the subpoenas. Senate Majority Leader John Thune called Clayton a proven leader, while Democrats like Senator Ron Wyden opposed him, citing an inability to tell the truth or show independence from Trump.