Trump DNI pick braces for Senate grilling as temporary stand-in fuels Dem pressure

Trump nominated Jay Clayton, former SEC chairman and current U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, as director of national intelligence, prompting a Senate confirmation hearing amid Democratic concerns over Trump’s temporary pick, Bill Pulte. Democrats criticized Pulte’s lack of intelligence credentials and political ties, while Senate leaders emphasized Clayton’s prosecutorial experience as a potential reassurance.