Trump names new spy chief after pushback over previous pick

June 11, 2026

President Trump has nominated Jay Clayton, the current US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to serve as Director of National Intelligence, overseeing America's 18 intelligence agencies. This appointment comes after Trump's initial nominee, Bill Pulte, faced congressional criticism for lacking intelligence experience and allegedly using his federal housing position to launch politically motivated investigations that yielded no convictions. Clayton, who previously led the Securities and Exchange Commission, has received bipartisan support from lawmakers who view him as qualified for the intelligence role.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump
Jay Clayton (nominee for Director of National Intelligence)
Tulsi Gabbard (outgoing Director of National Intelligence)
Bill Pulte (previous nominee who was rejected)
Members of Congress, including Senator John Thune and Senator Mark Warner
CIA Director John Ratcliffe
The 18 government intelligence agencies under DNI oversight
Clayton's prosecutorial team in the Southern District of New York

What action is being taken

Jay Clayton is serving as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York
Clayton is overseeing the drug trafficking case against former Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro
Clayton's team is reviewing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein
Clayton's team is leading the case against an Iraqi man accused of plotting attacks for Iran
The Government Accountability Office is investigating how the FHFA carries out mortgage fraud investigations

Why it matters

This nomination is significant because the Director of National Intelligence oversees all 18 US intelligence agencies and serves as the nation's top spy chief, making it a critical national security position. The bipartisan congressional support for Clayton represents a stark contrast to the previous failed nomination, suggesting this appointment may restore stability and credibility to the intelligence leadership role. Clayton's prosecutorial background in high-profile national security and financial cases, combined with his regulatory experience at the SEC, provides relevant expertise for managing complex intelligence operations.

What's next

The US Senate will vote on Clayton's confirmation
Tulsi Gabbard's tenure as Director of National Intelligence ends on June 30th

Read full article from source: BBC