Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised President Trump’s nomination of Jay Clayton to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, calling the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York a “really good pick” with a “great record.”
Trump nominated Clayton Thursday hours after the House failed to pass a temporary extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
“I think he’s a really good pick. He’s obviously very capable and competent and [has] a great record. So, my assumption is, and I would certainly hope that Democrats who are being objective about it are going to come to the same conclusion.”
Thune urged his Democratic colleagues to support Clayton’s upcoming confirmation but told reporters the timing could have been better.
🚨🚨 Thune’s response when I asked if he thinks Jay Clayton is a good DNI pick:
“I think he’s a really good pick. He’s obviously very capable and competent and [has] a great record. So, my assumption is, and I would certainly hope that Democrats who are being objective about it…
— Nicole Silverio (@NicoleMSilverio) June 11, 2026
“It would have, as always, the timing would have been better. It would have been nice if we could had this a couple of days earlier,” Thune said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer refused to comment on Clayton’s qualifications, instead demanding the removal of Bill Pulte — Trump’s temporary appointee to the ODNI role.
“Pulte has got to go,” Schumer told reporters. “The DNI role is too important for him to be there. He has got to go, period. No matter what else they do.”
🚨🚨 @SenSchumer gave us no direct response on whether he supports or opposes Jay Clayton for DNI:
“Pulte has got to go,” he told us. “The DNI role is too important for him to be there. He has got to go. Period. No matter what else they do.” @DailyCaller
— Nicole Silverio (@NicoleMSilverio) June 11, 2026
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso said he was “encouraged” by Trump naming someone permanently for the position.
Democratic Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, called Clayton “terrific” for the role but criticized the timing.
“I’ve known and respected Jay Clayton for decades. His intelligence, temperament and deep commitment to public service will make him a terrific DNI. Had this nomination been made a week ago, lots of pain might have been avoided.”
Democratic Virginia Sen. Mark Warner called Clayton “very qualified” but questioned why Trump didn’t nominate him earlier, according to Semafor.
Clayton has overseen some of the most high-profile criminal prosecutions in the U.S., including the drug trafficking case against former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, who was captured by U.S. forces in January. He previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Republican Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford praised Clayton’s prosecutorial record in a statement on X, noting the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the southern district of New York “has prosecuted terrorists, international cartels, money laundering, international trafficking and more.”
Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham called Clayton “an outstanding choice” for DNI in a statement on X.
Many lawmakers opposed Pulte’s nomination due to his lack of national security experience and concerns he would use the position to target political opponents.
🚨 Senate Majority Whip @barrassoforwyo on Trump nominating Jay Clayton:
“I’m encouraged by the President’s decision to name someone permanently for that role.”@DailyCaller
— Nicole Silverio (@NicoleMSilverio) June 11, 2026
I’ve known and respected Jay Clayton for decades. His intelligence, temperament and deep commitment to public service will make him a terrific DNI. Had this nomination been made a week ago, lots of pain might have been avoided.
— Jim Himes 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@jahimes) June 11, 2026
