Jay Clayton appointed director of national intelligence, succeeding Bill Pulte

Washington — Jay Clayton, the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and ex-SEC chairman, is set to take over as director of national intelligence on Monday, concluding Bill Pulte's two-month tenure as acting director. Pulte, who announced the transition in a social-media post, said he had discussed the handover with President Donald Trump and Clayton, who was confirmed by the Senate along party lines earlier this week. President Trump appointed Pulte as an interim director after Tulsi Gabbard resigned, a choice that drew criticism from some Republican lawmakers who questioned his national-security background. During Pulte’s brief period, the administration released classified documents related to the 2020 election and China’s influence operations, a move described as part of a broader effort to highlight election-integrity concerns. The White House has not yet released details on the exact timing of Clayton’s swearing-in ceremony.