Trump picks James McDonald to lead powerful Southern District of New York after Jay Clayton's departure

President Donald Trump announced his intent to appoint James M. McDonald as the next U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, following Jay Clayton's nomination to serve as director of national intelligence. McDonald previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the SDNY and as director of enforcement at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and is associated with Sullivan & Cromwell.