Senate confirms Trump ally Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence

Clayton is confirmed, putting likely end to holdup in reauthorizing FISA Section 702’s spying powers

Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the US intelligence community who was confirmed in a 51-47 vote on Tuesday night, steps into his new job inheriting a diminished office whose authority and relevance are at a historic low point.

He will replace acting DNI and Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte, whose interim appointment prompted Senate Democrats to demand an immediate, permanent replacement over fears that Pulte would weaponize the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies or try to dismantle them.

Clayton will be inheriting a much smaller agency after the office’s workforce was cut in a series of firings in recent weeks and months by his predecessors.