Jay Clayton Confirmed as New US Director of National Intelligence

The US Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton, nominated by Trump as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), despite objections from Democrats. Clayton was confirmed with 51 votes in favor and 47 against. With Clayton's confirmation, the new US Director of National Intelligence has been determined. Clayton is a former Sullivan & Cromwell lawyer specializing in mergers and capital markets. The 60-year-old Clayton served as the chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during Trump's first presidency and was known as a moderate figure seeking compromise with Democratic commission members.

Walter Jay Clayton is a 60-year-old former Sullivan & Cromwell lawyer specializing in mergers and capital markets.

Trump had temporarily appointed Clayton to the position of US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the country's most powerful prosecutor posts, in April 2025. According to his official biography, Clayton has no direct intelligence background or extensive national security experience.