Trump Delays Jay Clayton’s Intelligence Chief Confirmation Hearing
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Trump Delays Jay Clayton's Intelligence Chief Confirmation Hearing
- President Trump announced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, that he is delaying the confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence.
- The delay is reportedly an effort to pressure Congress to act on a voter ID bill and to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which lapsed last week.
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President Trump announced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, that he is delaying the confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton, his nominee for Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The hearing was scheduled for the same day. Trump stated on social media that he would keep Bill Pulte, a top U.S. housing official, as the acting director of national intelligence.
The president linked the delay to his efforts to push Congress to pass a voter ID bill, which he refers to as the “SAVE AMERICA ACT,” and to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Section 702, a crucial surveillance program, expired last week due to bipartisan opposition to Trump’s initial selection of Bill Pulte as acting DNI. Democrats had indicated they would not renew the program until Pulte’s nomination was withdrawn.
Lawmakers from both parties had opposed Pulte’s appointment due to his perceived lack of experience in the intelligence field, which led Trump to nominate Clayton. Clayton