Jay Clayton
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Director of National Intelligence · United States
On the regime page: Trump administration
4 quotes, oldest first. Filter with other speakers.
“The mission of the Director of National Intelligence is clear: To ensure that the Intelligence Community, along with the policymakers and institutions it serves—but especially the President, our military leaders, and Congress—receive the best possible intelligence in a “timely, objective, and independent” manner. That obligation will be front of mind every day.”
Opening statement at the open nomination hearing. Clayton was then US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and had been SEC Chairman from 2017 to 2020; he was nominated after Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation as DNI.
Statement of Jay Clayton, Nominee, Director of National Intelligence, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 15 July 2026 (prepared opening statement) Source
“I am not an election denier. Joe Biden was certified.”
Repeated answer to Democratic senators, including Angus King and Jon Ossoff, who asked him to say who won the 2020 presidential election. Clayton also said he was referring to election audit trails, not proven fraud, when asked about earlier remarks that the US was 'doing an absolutely terrible job on election integrity'.
Testimony at the nomination hearing of Jay Clayton to be Director of National Intelligence, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 15 July 2026, as quoted by Wichita Liberty and CNBC Source
“Donald J. Trump was certified as President in January 2025 by the electors presenting before Congress.”
Written reply to a post-hearing question. The question and Clayton's answers on election integrity appear in the same document.
Answers to questions for the record from Sen. King, nomination of Jay Clayton to be Director of National Intelligence, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, 15 July 2026, answer to question 13 ('Who won the 2024 presidential election?') Source
“The safety and security of the American people will be our North Star, and we will work to make sure the American people have complete confidence in the IC through proper oversight, transparency, and accountability. This includes ensuring the vital work of our IC is never weaponized for political motives.”
Statement issued after Clayton took the oath as the ninth Director of National Intelligence, following Senate confirmation the week before.
ODNI press release, "Jay Clayton Sworn In As Director Of National Intelligence," 3 August 2026 Source