Senate advances Jay Clayton's nomination for Director of National Intelligence

The Senate on Monday advanced the Cabinet-level nomination of Jay Clayton to be director of national intelligence despite a turbulent confirmation process that’s been weeks in the making.

Clayton, who currently serves as the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, advanced in a party-line procedural vote, 51-43. He is expected to be confirmed as early as Tuesday.

The successful vote puts Clayton on track for final confirmation to the role overseeing the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies that was vacated by Tulsi Gabbard last month and weeks after President Donald Trump abruptly postponed his nomination.

“Amid a heightened threat environment, having a proven leader in this role is especially important. And Jay Clayton fits the mold,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said. “He’s supervised the prosecution of terrorists and the drafting of the indictment against Nicolas Maduro on drug-trafficking and terrorism charges.”

Jay Clayton testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing to be the next Director of National Intelligence on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

" data-large-file="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26196595597735.jpg?w=696" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26196595597735.jpg?w=696" alt="Jay Clayton testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing to be the next Director of National Intelligence on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)" class="wp-image-4665133" srcset="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26196595597735.jpg 1024w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26196595597735.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26196595597735.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26196595597735.jpg?resize=150,100 150w, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AP26196595597735.jpg?resize=696,464 696w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px">Jay Clayton testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing to be the next Director of National Intelligence on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

His confirmation, while opposed by Democrats, could offer an offramp from their refusal to provide the votes for a three-year extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act out of protest over interim DNI Bill Pulte. But Clayton’s refusal to admit during his confirmation hearing that former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election did not do him any favors among Democrats.

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) condemned Clayton’s performance as “abysmal.”

“It makes it much less likely that he will get Democratic votes,” Schumer said.