Clayton Nominated for DNI as Pulte Controversy Clouds Confirmation

President Donald Trump nominated Jay Clayton, former SEC chair and longtime Wall Street attorney, to lead the nation’s intelligence apparatus, as he faced pushback over appointing Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Clayton lacks direct intelligence-experience but carries bipartisan interest; his résumé includes high-profile Wall Street bailouts and work as U.S. attorney in Manhattan. Supporters urged a quick confirmation, while lawmakers demanded assurances that Pulte not remain in the acting DNI role, a debate that coincides with looming renewal talks on Section 702 of the FISA program.