Trump Names Jay Clayton as Intelligence Director Nominee

President Donald Trump nominated Jay Clayton on Thursday to serve as director of national intelligence, the permanent head of the U.S. intelligence community.

Clayton currently serves as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the most prominent federal prosecutor positions in the country. He held various roles during Trump's first term as president, making him a veteran of the Trump administration.

The nomination follows Trump's earlier selection of a different candidate for the intelligence director post last week. Officials familiar with the administration's thinking characterize Clayton as the more conventional option between the two choices, suggesting his background in law enforcement and government service aligns with traditional qualifications for the role.

The director of national intelligence oversees the 18 agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community and serves as the principal intelligence adviser to the president. The position requires Senate confirmation.

Clayton's nomination will proceed through the Senate confirmation process, where lawmakers will evaluate his qualifications and record.