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“Excellent Choice”: Jay Clayton Earns Broad Praise as President Trump’s DNI Nominee
The White House
June 16, 2026
President Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence is drawing strong bipartisan acclaim across Capitol Hill and beyond. A former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York — where he aggressively prosecuted terrorists, cartels, and major national security threats — and former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Clayton brings unmatched experience, sharp judgment, and proven leadership in both the public and private sectors, making him exactly the right leader to strengthen America’s intelligence community.
Lawmakers and other leaders are lining up in strong support:
Senate Majority Leader John Thune : “President Trump nominated Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to be the Director of National Intelligence. He has an impressive resume with experience in both the public sector and the private sector and has a kind of skillset necessary for managing issues as complex and varied as those faced by the Director of National Intelligence… Republicans here in the Senate have built a record of acting quickly on the President’s nominees, and we’re going to do the same with Mr. Clayton.”
Sen. Ted Budd : “Jay Clayton is a great choice to be the next @ODNIgov. I know him well, & I trust that he knows how to lead and reform our intelligence community. He brings a record of prosecuting terrorists & safeguarding this nation from its adversaries—exactly what our country needs.”
Sen. Katie Britt : “Outstanding pick, @POTUS! Looking forward to supporting this nomination and appreciate the President’s commitment to our national security.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito : “Strong Intelligence Community leadership is essential to protecting the Homeland and ensuring that the intelligence community is working for the American people. I believe @potus made a great choice in nominating Jay Clayton to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Looking forward to learning more about his vision for the role during the confirmation process.”
Sen. Tom Cotton : “Jay Clayton is an excellent choice by President Trump for Director of National Intelligence. In his service to the people of New York, Mr. Clayton has deep experience combatting a wide range of national security threats. The Senate Intelligence Committee will quickly process his nomination.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley : “Jay Clayton is a respected lawyer & public servant nominated by Pres Trump for Director of Natl Intelligence Glad Sen Cotton is holding intel hrg on Tues/Wed on his nomination”
Sen. Lindsey Graham : “Outstanding choice by President Trump to nominate Jay Clayton to be the new Director of National Intelligence. He has real-world experience, the complete confidence of the President and has performed every task in the public and private sectors in an exemplary manner. I look forward to making sure that Jay is confirmed and can take on his responsibilities ASAP.”
Sen. Bill Hagerty : “@POTUS has made an outstanding choice in nominating Jay Clayton to be the next Director of National Intelligence. Jay has been a longtime friend and someone who exhibits great intellect and a passion for public service. I look forward to supporting his confirmation in short order.”
Sen. James Lankford : “Jay Clayton is a great pick for the Director of National Intelligence. The US Attorney’s Office in the southern district of New York has prosecuted terrorists, international cartels, money laundering, international trafficking and more. He has handled some of the toughest international cases, and he knows well the threats our nation faces each day. His background as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission has also given him the executive experience needed to lead an agency in desperate need of reorganization. He is smart, ethical, experienced in national security, and he has a tenacious work ethic. The last time Jay was confirmed by the Senate in 2017 was as Chair of the SEC; he passed 61-37. I look forward to a quick confirmation for Jay as the Director of National Intelligence.”
Sen. Mitch McConnell : “I was encouraged by the President’s nomination of Jay Clayton to be the Director of National Intelligence. Mr. Clayton is known to the Senate, and his distinguished prior service, overseeing sensitive financial investigations as SEC Chair and leading consequential national security prosecutions as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, suggests he has the intellect, temperament, managerial capacity, discretion, and experience required by statute for this position. I look forward to the Senate’s consideration of his nomination.”
Sen. Dave McCormick : “President Trump has made an excellent choice in nominating Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence. I know him very well and can say firsthand that his experience leading the SEC and serving as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York makes him uniquely qualified for this critical role. This is someone who understands both the legal and law enforcement sides of the job. The Senate should move quickly and confirm him.”
Sen. Mike Rounds : “Good meeting with Jay Clayton this evening, who has been nominated by the President to serve as the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI). I first met Jay in my role on the Banking committee when he was going through his confirmation to serve as SEC chairman. I believe he’s well qualified for this new role and look forward to supporting him through the confirmation process.”
Sen. Tim Scott : “President Trump made an excellent choice in nominating Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence. Having voted for him in the past to lead the SEC, I’m confident he has the experience, judgment, and resolve needed to lead and coordinate our intelligence efforts here at home and around the world. Let’s get him confirmed!”
Sen. Thom Tillis : “Jay Clayton is an OUTSTANDING choice by President Trump to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Jay is a proven leader with a distinguished record of public service and sound judgment needed to lead our intelligence community. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure his swift confirmation.”
Sen. Mark Warner : “I have known and respected Jay Clayton for many years and believe he is a capable public servant.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer : “Jay Clayton is a great choice for DNI. He’s well-respected, smart, and will be a strong leader of our intelligence community. Looking forward to seeing his swift confirmation in the Senate!”
Rep. Buddy Carter : “@POTUS made a strong choice by nominating Jay Clayton for Director of National Intelligence. I look forward to his swift confirmation and wish him well as he prepares to lead the intelligence community.”
Rep. French Hill : “I am pleased that President Trump has nominated an eminently qualified and capable manager and attorney, Jay Clayton, to be the next Director of National Intelligence. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jay during his tenure as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and in observing his careful stewardship of the Southern District of New York. I hope the Senate can find a way to confirm him expeditiously so that he can be in the seat helping President Trump have the best and most effective intelligence information available.”
Rep. Jim Himes : “I have known Jay Clayton for decades and worked with him during his time as Chairman of the Securities Exchange Commission. During that time, he had the independence of mind and respect for the law that are necessary for any Director of National Intelligence. I am hopeful that he will maintain that independence and provide apolitical high-quality intelligence to policymakers. The Senate should evaluate and confirm his nomination quickly.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik : “Jay Clayton is an excellent nomination by President Trump to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Great choice! Jay should be confirmed swiftly during this important time for our national security.”
Rep. Ann Wagner : “Jay Clayton is a deeply respected leader and a man of integrity. I have worked with him when he was Chair of the SEC and I have seen first-hand his patriotism and professionalism. As a leader on the House Intelligence Committee, I have full confidence he will capably serve our intel community and keep our nation safe in this critical role.”
Former CIA Director and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo : “Fantastic pick… He’ll work his tail off and he is really smart. A fantastic pick and he will be a great DNI for the United States of America.”
Former Rep. Patrick McHenry : “Jay Clayton is a fantastic leader and will bring credibility to the DNI job!”
National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons : “Congratulations to Jay Clayton on his nomination to serve as the next @ODNIgov Director. Jay brings sound judgment, expert analysis, principled leadership and a commitment to transparency. The Senate should be confident he will serve the best interests of America and move quickly to confirm him.”
Former National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow : “Clayton’s a very smart choice.”
Commentator Mark Simone : “Congratulations to Jay Clayton, our US Attorney who President Trump just nominated to be Director of National Intelligence. Great choice.”
Senior Advisor Jason Miller : “GREAT reputation. Absolutely top-shelf. Total winner. I can’t overstate just how fantastic this pick is!”
