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, succeeding Jay Clayton, who was nominated to serve in Trump's cabinet. McDonald has prior experience as an assistant U.S. attorney in the SDNY and at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and is affiliated with Sullivan & Cromwell, where he is a senior partner.