Jay Clayton faces Senate hearing to lead US intelligence
Why it matters: His confirmation could replace acting DNI Bill Pulte and reopen talks on renewing FISA Section 702.
Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, goes before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday after an earlier hearing was abruptly delayed. Clayton, now the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and a former Securities and Exchange Commission chair, has drawn support from Republicans and some Democrats. But Democrats are expected to press him on election interference and on whether he would resist pressure to advance Trump’s false 2020 election claims. Lawmakers from both parties have also tied his nomination to concerns about acting DNI Bill Pulte, whose appointment stirred objections over his lack of intelligence experience.