Chicago – July 28, 2026
The U.S. Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence in a 51-47 vote on Tuesday, putting President Donald Trump’s pick in charge of the 18-agency intelligence community.
Clayton, the Manhattan U.S. attorney and former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, takes over after a contentious confirmation process that centered on his limited intelligence background and his refusal at a hearing to say that Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
The vote split largely along party lines, with Republicans backing the nomination and Democrats opposing it. Clayton is expected to step into an office that has faced internal strain and debate over the future of key surveillance authorities.
The confirmation gives Trump a permanent intelligence chief weeks after naming Clayton for the post amid backlash over his earlier acting director choice.
