Trump pauses spy chief confirmation in Congress

June 18, 2026

President Trump has postponed Jay Clayton's Senate confirmation hearing for Director of National Intelligence, linking the delay to congressional inaction on renewing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Trump announced he wants the SAVE Act, which would impose stricter voter identification requirements, combined with FISA legislation before allowing Clayton's nomination to proceed. The cancellation has created political tension, with Republican Senator Tom Cotton expressing regret while Democratic Senator Mark Warner criticized Trump for using national security as political leverage.

Who is affected

Jay Clayton (DNI nominee and current US Attorney for SDNY)
Bill Pulte (acting DNI who will remain in position longer)
Republican Senator Tom Cotton (intelligence committee chair)
Democratic Senator Mark Warner (intelligence committee vice-chair)
Senate Majority Leader John Thune
Tulsi Gabbard (outgoing DNI leaving June 30)
Members of Congress from both parties
The 18 government intelligence agencies overseen by the DNI

What action is being taken

Bill Pulte is continuing to serve as acting Director of National Intelligence on an interim basis
Tulsi Gabbard is leaving her DNI role on June 30

Why it matters

The postponement creates instability in America's top intelligence position at a critical time, leaving an acting director with no national security background in charge of 18 intelligence agencies. It demonstrates how national security appointments and surveillance legislation are being intertwined with unrelated political priorities like voter identification laws, potentially compromising the swift resolution of important intelligence matters. The delay also undermines Senate leadership's efforts to restore normalcy to the intelligence community.

What's next

Senator Tom Cotton said he looks forward to moving forward "with his confirmation in the near future," but did not specify when another hearing would be scheduled.

Read full article from source: BBC