Well, that didn’t last long.
On June 2, President Trump appointed Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who stepped down following her husband’s diagnosis with a rare bone cancer. He will officially transition to the role on June 19.
That announcement was met with swift resistance from Democrats and even some Republicans who said he was unqualified for the role and had no prior experience. He had also severely hurt the feelings of the Dems by referring Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and NY Attorney General Letitia James to the Justice Department for mortgage fraud.
On Thursday, the president announced he has decided on his nominee to be permanent director, and it’s the Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton. He posted the news to Truth Social Thursday:
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump nominates JAY CLAYTON for Director of National Intelligence after Bill Pulte was chosen as Acting DNI
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 11, 2026
“I am pleased to announce the Nomination of very Highly Respected Jay Clayton, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the former… pic.twitter.com/WX4YZpDbDW
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump nominates JAY CLAYTON for Director of National Intelligence after Bill Pulte was chosen as Acting DNI
“I am pleased to announce the Nomination of very Highly Respected Jay Clayton, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the former Head of Sullivan & Cromwell, one of the most prominent and successful Law Firms anywhere in the World, and the current United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to be the next Director of National Intelligence and, importantly, to serve in my Cabinet.”
“Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay. I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP” 👏🏻🔥
Clayton would need to be confirmed by the Senate to take on the role.
MORE: House Rejects Short-Term FISA 702 Spy Powers Extension As Dems Rage Over Pulte DNI Appointment
Bill Pulte Jumps From Hard-Charging Housing Regulator to Nation's Top Spy Chief
As we reported earlier Thursday, the House of Representatives rejected an extension of FISA Section 702, which allows the U.S. to surveil foreigners located outside the United States without a warrant. Although the vote was 198-218 against the extension, with seven Democrats voting for it and 19 Republicans saying “nay,” numerous Dems made their vote to signify their unhappiness with the Pulte appointment.
Next up: confirmation hearings. RedState will be here to cover them for you.
NEW: President Trump is nominating former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence after withdrawing acting DNI Bill Pulte's nomination following pushback from lawmakers, @markpmeredith reports. pic.twitter.com/4A5TcYA8Ck
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 11, 2026
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