Key facts
- Jay Clayton's nomination hearing for U.S. director of national intelligence is scheduled for July 15.
- President Donald Trump nominated Clayton to lead the nation's 18 intelligence agencies.
- A previous temporary appointee, Bill Pulte, lacked national security experience.
- Trump had sought to link Clayton's hearing to the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has scheduled a nomination hearing for Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump's choice for the next U.S. director of national intelligence, for July 15. Trump nominated Clayton last month to oversee the nation's 18 intelligence agencies. This follows concerns raised about a previous temporary appointee, Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte, who lacked national security experience and was criticized by some for potentially "weaponizing" intelligence against political opponents. Earlier in June, Trump had requested the postponement of Clayton's hearing in an effort to pressure Congress into passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a strict voter identification bill. Trump has falsely claimed widespread fraud in U.S. elections and is promoting the SAVE Act, asserting it would guarantee Republican wins in the upcoming November elections.