Senate Confirms Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence on a Party-Line 51-47 Vote
The Senate confirmed Walter "Jay" Clayton III as Director of National Intelligence on the evening of Tuesday, July 28, 2026, by a party-line vote of 51-47 with no Democrats voting in favor. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence had advanced the nomination 9-8 on July 21. Clayton, a former SEC chairman and U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, replaces Bill Pulte, whose temporary appointment following Tulsi Gabbard's resignation had drawn sharp Democratic criticism. Majority Leader John Thune and Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton pointed to Clayton's prosecutorial record, including terrorism cases and the indictment of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Democrats objected to his committee testimony, particularly his answers about subpoenas issued in connection with New York Times reporting and about the 2020 election; Sen. Ron Wyden said there were credible allegations Clayton had provided false testimony. Vice Chairman Mark Warner, who had worked with Clayton at the SEC, said he came away from the process with serious reservations about whether Clayton would resist political pressure.
“Jay Clayton’s record inspires confidence in the type of DNI that he will be.”