Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, arrives to attend his Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 15, 2026. (Reuters/Nathan Howard)

On the 21st (local time), the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence passed the nomination of Jay Clayton as the next Director of National Intelligence and forwarded it to the full Senate for consideration.

President Donald Trump nominated Clayton for the position last month while he was serving as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Bill Pulte, the current Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), is serving as the acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

According to The Hill, the Senate Intelligence Committee passed Clayton’s nomination in a closed-door session by a vote of 9 to 8.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) told reporters, "Jay Clayton is a highly capable nominee with extensive experience in addressing a wide range of national security threats," adding, "I am pleased that the Senate Intelligence Committee has approved his nomination for Director of National Intelligence. Once confirmed, I look forward to working with Mr. Clayton to protect the safety of the American people and continue the reform of the intelligence community."

It is not immediately clear when the full Senate will hold a vote on Clayton’s nomination, but Senate Republicans hope to finalize the confirmation before the August recess next month.

NNP USA = Representative Reporter Hong Sung-gu / Special Correspondent for the Press NNP info@newsandpost.com