STATEMENT: Sen. Schiff on President Trump’s Nomination of Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) released the following statement on President Donald Trump's nomination of Jay Clayton to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI):

"Trump's choice of Jay Clayton for Director of National Intelligence does not resolve the President's Pulte problem. The Clayton nomination will be given fair consideration, but in the months before any confirmation hearing can take place, Bill Pulte cannot be allowed to weaponize the intelligence community, misuse it for purposes of election interference, politicize the conclusion of analysts to suit the President's false narratives, or rifle through the private data of the America people.

"The best course of action would be to allow the Senate-confirmed Principal Deputy DNI - a Trump pick himself - Aaron Lukas, to lead the office while the Senate undertakes a full and thorough vetting of Mr. Clayton's nomination.

"Jay Clayton's resume reveals a troubling lack of intelligence community experience. His record as SEC Chair and U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York should be scrutinized to determine whether he led those offices as a nonpartisan professional, or is likely to succumb to pressure by the President to abuse the powers and capabilities of any new office.

"We need a serious intelligence community leader to manage these vital agencies, to inspire intelligence professionals to do their best possible work, and to brief the President accurately on the myriad of threats facing the country. The American people deserve no less."

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