Senate Sets Hearing for Trump Intelligence Director Pick
Trump nominated Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence. Clayton is the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan.
He also previously led the Securities and Exchange Commission. The move came after backlash over Trump's earlier pick Bill Pulte.
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers had objected to Pulte. The Senate Intelligence Committee set Clayton's hearing for June 17.
But Pulte is still set to take the acting director role on June 19. The dispute over Pulte put a key security tool at risk.
That tool is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. It is a major surveillance power used by US spy agencies. Democrats did not change their position on Section 702 after Clayton's nomination.
Klear Note — Section 702 lets US spy agencies collect foreign communications without warrants. It expires soon and needs Senate approval to continue. The intelligence director pick affects whether Congress will renew this surveillance power.
Key Terms 5
- Director of National Intelligence The top US official overseeing all spy and intelligence agencies
- Securities and Exchange Commission US agency that oversees stock markets and financial rules
- Section 702 A US law allowing spy agencies to monitor foreign targets' communications
- Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act US law setting rules for spying on foreign threats
- Acting director A temporary leader filling a role before a permanent one is confirmed