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By — Collin Binkley, Associated Press Collin Binkley, Associated Press By — Larry Neumeister, Associated Press Larry Neumeister, Associated Press By — Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-jay-clayton-testifies-at-confirmation-hearing-for-national-intelligence-director Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: Jay Clayton testifies at confirmation hearing for national intelligence director Politics Jun 16, 2026 12:34 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump nominated Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and a former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, as director of national intelligence. Clayton is scheduled to testify in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, June 17 at 2 p.m. EDT. Watch live in our video player above. Trump announced the nomination on Thursday on social media amid pressure from Congress to name a permanent replacement for Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her resignation last month. Trump faced intense pushback over his decision to name Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director. The job oversees the coordination of 18 intelligence agencies. READ MORE: What to know about Jay Clayton, Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence The resulting uproar led to a standoff in Congress after Democrats said they would refuse to renew foreign intelligence powers unless Trump pulled Pulte's nomination and named a permanent nominee. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. "Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay," Trump wrote. "I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible." Speaking later Thursday in the Oval Office, Trump said he still plans to keep Pulte in the role "for a little while" after earlier saying he wants Pulte to downsize the office. He called Clayton an "incredible talent" and said, "Nobody has better credentials." As the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, Clayton oversees the most prestigious of the Justice Department's prosecution offices, with a vast portfolio ranging from terrorism and espionage cases to security fraud and public corruption. WATCH: Surveillance program set to expire as Congress rejects FISA extension He took over from interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who resigned in February after refusing to carry out orders from the Justice Department to drop corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams. The case was eventually dropped after prosecutors from Washington submitted a request to a judge. Republicans hope to move quickly on nomination The Senate Intelligence Committee plans to hold a confirmation hearing for Clayton on Wednesday, according to a person who requested anonymity to di
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    The techno-optimist argues that Jay Claytons testimony reflects our eras defining tension: how do we harness technology for national security while protecting democratic values? His focus on innovation policy shows the right approachbuilding resilient systems that adapt to emerging threats. The key lies in smart regulation that encourages breakthroughs while maintaining oversight. This balance will determine whether we emerge stronger or fragmented.
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    *The techno-optimists innovation narrative is dangerously naive. Claytons testimony reveals how tech companies weaponize surveillance under the guise of securitythis isnt progress, its surveillance capitalism masquerading as national defense. We need actual accountability, not more technobabble.*
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