Jay Clayton confirmed as director of US national intelligence

The US Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump's nominee Jay Clayton to be the next director of national intelligence (DNI).

The upper chamber voted 51-47 on Tuesday.

It follows the unexpected departure of DNI Tulsi Gabbard, who in her resignation announcement cited the need to care for her husband after his cancer diagnosis.

Unlike many of his predecessors, Clayton, currently a US attorney, has limited experience in foreign policy and intelligence matters.

Despite concerns about his background, Clayton was viewed by Republicans and Democrats alike as a preferable choice to acting DNI Bill Pulte, who has drawn criticism for several rounds of layoffs since taking the temporary post last month.

As the US' new top spy, Clayton will oversee the country's 18 intelligence agencies and manage the daily intelligence briefing for the president.

Following the voting, Trump congratulated him on his confirmation.

"Jay is outstanding in every way, and will do a spectacular job as Director!" he said on his Truth Social platform.

'Between a rock and a hard place'

Democrats had initially welcomed Clayton as a more conventional alternative to Pulte, but turned sharply against him during his confirmation hearing.

Repeatedly asked whether Democrat Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, Clayton would say only that Biden had been "certified" as the winner.

"I'm not an election denier," Clayton told senators, without directly answering the question.

Senate Intelligence Committee vice chair Mark Warner said Democrats were caught "between a rock and a hard place" because they preferred Clayton to Pulte but were deeply troubled by his response.

Chuck Schumer, the party's leader in the upper chamber of Congress, called Clayton's hearing performance "abysmal."

Republicans defended Clayton's record as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term and, more recently, as US attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, said Clayton's experience fighting financial crime and handling national security cases made him a proven leader at a time of heightened threats.

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Source: TRT