Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte said on Saturday incoming director Jay Clayton will start transitioning into his new role as head of the intelligence community on Monday.
“I am eternally grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to serve as Director of National Intelligence, while he completed historic declassifications we right sized the ODNI,” Pulte said. “I have no doubt that Jay will do a tremendous job. I have offered Jay my complete and total support as he transitions to take over this incredible agency!”
The Senate confirmed Clayton through a 51-47 party-line vote on Wednesday. The current U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Clayton was nominated by President Donald Trump after lawmakers from across the aisle criticized the original choice of Pulte, who has limited national security experience. Democrats also argued he exhibited excessive loyalty to Trump while serving as the director of the federal housing finance agency and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Pulte was tapped by Trump to serve as acting director after Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation from the role in late May after her husband was diagnosed with bone cancer. During his tenure, Pulte conducted four rounds of layoffs to downsize the agency and declassified thousands of documents related to alleged foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election.
Clayton served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the first Trump administration and has an extensive background as a New York City-based lawyer. The current attorney for Manhattan, his office has overseen the prosecution of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and other high-profile criminals.
JAY CLAYTON CONFIRMED AS TRUMP’S NEW DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Clayton was criticized by Democrats at his confirmation hearing for refusing to directly confirm that former President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election. He starts his role amid an unprecedented lapse in government spy powers as negotiations to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act remain deadlocked.
“I am excited to spend even more time on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as the companies continue the historic ascension under President Trump,” Pulte also said, who will be returning to his role as head of the federal housing agency.