Trump pushes to delay appointment of new spy chief in legislative standoff
Summary
President Donald Trump has delayed the Senate confirmation hearing for his nominee for director of national intelligence, Jay Clayton. He wants to keep the current acting director, Bill Pulte, in place while pushing lawmakers to pass both a surveillance law and a voter ID law.Key Facts
- President Trump postponed Jay Clayton’s confirmation hearing by telling him not to appear before the Senate.
- Bill Pulte will remain as acting director of national intelligence for now.
- Clayton is currently the U.S. attorney for the southern district of New York.
- The director of national intelligence leads the 18-agency U.S. intelligence community.
- Trump wants Congress to pass a renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and a voter ID law together.
- FISA Section 702 allows intelligence agencies to collect communication from foreigners outside the U.S. without a warrant.
- Some Democrats oppose FISA's renewal unless Clayton is confirmed since they distrust Pulte’s experience.
- Republican Senator Tom Cotton regretted the hearing postponement and hopes to confirm Clayton soon.
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