FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ODNI News Release No. 12-26
August 3, 2026
Jay Clayton Sworn In As Director Of National Intelligence
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Jay Clayton was sworn in as the nation’s ninth Director of National Intelligence, following confirmation by the United States Senate last week. Director Clayton has previously served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Director Clayton has a distinguished private sector career, spanning law, business, and academia.
Following his oath of office, Director Clayton stated, “I am deeply grateful to President Trump for his continued trust and confidence in me. ODNI was established following September 11th, 2001, to ensure the tragic events of that day never happen again. Twenty-five years later, our adversaries continue to threaten our people and our freedoms. It is more important than ever for the Intelligence Community to deliver the best possible intelligence to the President, policymakers, military leaders, and Congress. Intelligence is our first line of defense, and we must get it right.”
“Throughout my career, I have been charged with building world-class teams committed to their mission, and we have delivered for the people we serve,” Director Clayton continued. “The safety and security of the American people will be our North Star, and we will work to make sure the American people have complete confidence in the IC through proper oversight, transparency, and accountability. This includes ensuring the vital work of our IC is never weaponized for political motives. I look forward to leading an organization and community that is streamlined, agile, team-oriented, and mission-focused—and I look forward to making sure the men and women of the IC have the resources they need to carry out our critical mission.”
Background: The Director of National Intelligence serves as the head of the IC and the President’s principal adviser for intelligence matters. Previously, Director Clayton served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he prosecuted(external link, opens in new tab) some of America’s top adversaries, including alleged IRGC and Kata’ib Hizballah terrorist Mohammad Al-Saadi, alleged narco-trafficker Nicolas Maduro and his convicted co-conspirator Hugo Carvajal, and dozens of members of the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels. From May 2017 to December 2020, Director Clayton served as Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, completing(external link, opens in new tab) a sweeping modernization and streamlining of the regulation of our nation’s public and private markets while bringing more than 2,300 enforcement actions resulting in over $10 billion in penalties and disgorgement and returning more than $3 billion to harmed investors.
In between his periods of public service, Director Clayton served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Apollo Global Management, Chairman of the Audit Committee of the American Express Company, Of Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and an Adjunct Professor at the Wharton Business School and the Carey Law School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he co-chaired the Institute for Law and Economics. Earlier in his career, Director Clayton was a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell, where he was a member of the firm’s Management Committee and co-headed its Corporate Practice and Cybersecurity Group. He holds a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, summa cum laude, a B.A. and M.A. (by tradition) in Economics from the University of Cambridge as a Thouron Scholar, and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, cum laude, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif. A lifelong athlete and avid sports fan, Director Clayton also serves on President Trump’s Council on College Sports.
Key Quotes Following Senate Confirmation:
The President at the July 31: “I want to just congratulate Jay Clayton who’s with us today…he’s had a big victory. He’s going to do a fantastic job. His whole life has been about doing a fantastic job.”
The President on July 28: “Congratulations to the Great Jay Clayton on his confirmation by the United States Senate, to be the next Director of National Intelligence. Jay is outstanding in every way, and will do a spectacular job as Director!”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD): “Amid a heightened threat environment, having a proven leader in this role is especially important. And Jay Clayton fits the mold…For the past year and a half in that role, Mr. Clayton has been busy. He’s supervised the prosecution of terrorists and the drafting of the indictment against Nicolas Maduro on drug-trafficking and terrorism charges. And now President Trump has nominated him for a Cabinet post leading our nation’s intelligence community…Jay Clayton’s record inspires confidence in the type of DNI that he will be.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), SSCI Chairman: “Jay Clayton is a highly qualified nominee with a deep experience combatting a wide range of national security threats. As U.S. attorney, Mr. Clayton has worked hand in glove with our intelligence agencies and counterterrorism personnel to lock up criminals who threaten our national security. I’m pleased that my colleagues voted to confirm Mr. Clayton as Director of National Intelligence and look forward to working with him to keep Americans safe.”
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD): “Jay is a consummate professional with a distinguished career in both the private and public sectors. The Senate previously confirmed him on a bipartisan basis to serve as the SEC Chair, and I’d like to think we were proven correct in judging his character the first time around.”
Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC): “Clayton is well qualified to lead ODNI and strengthen our intelligence efforts. I have no doubt he will do an exceptional job safeguarding this nation from our adversaries.”
Key Quotes Following Director Clayton’s Nomination:
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA): “Jay Clayton is a respected lawyer & public servant nominated by Pres Trump for Director of Natl Intelligence Glad Sen Cotton is holding intel hrg on Tues/Wed on his nomination”
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK): “Jay Clayton is a great pick for the Director of National Intelligence. The US Attorney’s Office in the southern district of New York has prosecuted terrorists, international cartels, money laundering, international trafficking and more. He has handled some of the toughest international cases, and he knows well the threats our nation faces each day. His background as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission has also given him the executive experience needed to lead an agency in desperate need of reorganization. He is smart, ethical, experienced in national security, and he has a tenacious work ethic. The last time Jay was confirmed by the Senate in 2017 was as Chair of the SEC; he passed 61-37. I look forward to a quick confirmation for Jay as the Director of National Intelligence.”
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC): “President Trump made an excellent choice in nominating Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence. Having voted for him in the past to lead the SEC, I’m confident he has the experience, judgment, and resolve needed to lead and coordinate our intelligence efforts here at home and around the world. Let’s get him confirmed!”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV): “Strong Intelligence Community leadership is essential to protecting the Homeland and ensuring that the intelligence community is working for the American people. I believe @POTUS made a great choice in nominating Jay Clayton to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Looking forward to learning more about his vision for the role during the confirmation process.”
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN): “@POTUS has made an outstanding choice in nominating Jay Clayton to be the next Director of National Intelligence. Jay has been a longtime friend and someone who exhibits great intellect and a passion for public service. I look forward to supporting his confirmation in short order.”
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA): “President Trump has made an excellent choice in nominating Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence. I know him very well and can say firsthand that his experience leading the SEC and serving as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York makes him uniquely qualified for this critical role. This is someone who understands both the legal and law enforcement sides of the job. The Senate should move quickly and confirm him.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN): “Jay Clayton is a great choice for DNI. He’s well-respected, smart, and will be a strong leader of our intelligence community. Looking forward to seeing his swift confirmation in the Senate!”
Rep. French Hill (R-AR): “I am pleased that President Trump has nominated an eminently qualified and capable manager and attorney, Jay Clayton, to be the next Director of National Intelligence. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jay during his tenure as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and in observing his careful stewardship of the Southern District of New York. I hope the Senate can find a way to confirm him expeditiously so that he can be in the seat helping President Trump have the best and most effective intelligence information available.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY): “Jay Clayton is an excellent nomination by President Trump to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Great choice! Jay should be confirmed swiftly during this important time for our national security.”
Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO): “Jay Clayton is a deeply respected leader and a man of integrity. I have worked with him when he was Chair of the SEC and I have seen first-hand his patriotism and professionalism. As a leader on the House Intelligence Committee, I have full confidence he will capably serve our intel community and keep our nation safe in this critical role.”
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