Trump's Trials - Who is Jay Clayton, Trump's new pick for national intel director?

Episode Date: June 17, 2026

As the Senate Intelligence Committee considers the nomination of Jay Clayton to be the next director of national security, NPR's Eric McDaniel reports on his experience as a prosecutor and private-sector attorney. Support NPR and hear every episode of Trump's Terms sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

It's Trump's terms from NPR. I'm Scott Detrow. Every episode, we bring you a story from NPR's recent coverage of the 47th president, with a focus on ways he's using power like no president before him. Here is the latest from NPR. I'm Lila Faldin in Washington, D.C. President Trump's pick to serve as the Director of National Intelligence was set to appear before senators this afternoon to start the confirmation process,

the role oversees 18 intelligence agencies. President Trump wrote early this morning that the congressional hearing for Jay Clayton is canceled. Clayton is a federal prosecutor and Trump now wants Clayton's successor confirmed first. While Clayton waits in the wings, here's NPR, congressional reporter Eric McDaniel. The first thing to know is this is a man who's worn a lot of hats. I'm Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. As the top prosecutor there, he's overseen some major cases, including the arrest and ongoing prosecution. of former Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. Clayton's been a prominent private sector attorney,

and during Trump's first term, well, I'll let the president say it. Jay Clayton is the head of the SEC Securities and Exchange Commission, and he's done a fantastic job. He's not without controversies, though. He echoed some of the president's election conspiracies ahead of his nomination in a recent CNBC interview, talking about California's slow vote counting. On the integrity side, we're doing an absolutely terrible job.

and the American people are right to question it. Clayton went on to clarify he wasn't claiming there is fraud, but that, quote, the opportunity for fraud makes no sense to me when we can make a much better system. Still, he's been well received by Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats like Mark Warner of Virginia, who said in a statement, quote,

I've known and respected Jay Clayton for many years and believe he is a capable public servant. Clayton may be benefiting here from comparison. Outgoing D&I, Tulsi Gabbard, has had her fair share of controversies before and during her time in the job. And Democrats fear Trump's acting pick, partisan attack dog Bill Pulte, who has no intel experience, will weaponize the U.S. intelligence apparatus to assail the president's

perceived foes. Eric McDaniel, NPR News, the Capitol. Before we wrap up a reminder, you can find more coverage of the Trump administration on the NPR Politics Podcast, where you can hear NPR's political reporters break down the day's biggest political news with new episodes every weekday afternoon. And thanks, as always, to our NPR Plus supporters who hear every episode of the show without sponsor messages. You can learn more at plus.npr.org. I'm Scott Detrow.

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