Trump Hands AI Oversight to Intelligence Insider Jay Clayton, Deepening Corporate-Government Ties
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President Trump has appointed Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to lead a new White House AI unit, stacking the team with establishment figures and further entrenching corporate and surveillance interests in federal AI policy.
President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton will head a newly formed White House group tasked with coordinating the federal government’s approach to artificial intelligence. On his personal social-media platform, Trump dubbed the unit the “Super Intelligence Force,” claiming it will work with consumers, public-interest groups, religious organizations, critical-infrastructure providers, and AI corporations.
Clayton, who was installed earlier this year as intelligence chief, previously served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission—both roles emblematic of the revolving door between government and Wall Street. This appointment comes amid mounting warnings from technology executives about the unchecked growth of AI, yet Trump’s response is to empower intelligence and regulatory insiders rather than independent experts or advocates for public oversight.
Trump also named other establishment figures to the force, including Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor, and Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael. The administration has simultaneously launched a new government website, America.gov, which uses AI to compile information from official sources—raising further concerns about surveillance and data control.
In a CNBC interview last month, Clayton described advanced AI as a national-security issue and dismissed calls for a pause in development, prioritizing U.S. competitiveness over ethical considerations or global cooperation. This move comes as Congress continues to stall on comprehensive AI legislation, leaving the door open for industry and intelligence interests to shape policy, while only a few states have enacted basic transparency requirements.