Jay Clayton's US intelligence director nomination hearing set for July 15

WASHINGTON — The nomination hearing for Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as the next U.S. director of national intelligence, is scheduled for July 15, according to a notice from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Trump nominated Clayton last month to lead the nation's 18 intelligence agencies following political controversy over his previous temporary pick for the role.

That ally, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, had no prior national security experience, raising concerns among some Republicans that the intelligence community could be used to target Trump's political opponents.

Trump said in early July that Clayton's confirmation hearing would take place within two weeks. The hearing had been abruptly postponed in mid-June as Trump pushed Congress to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, a strict voter identification bill.

Trump, who returned to the White House after winning the 2024 election following his defeat in 2020, has repeatedly made false claims of widespread election fraud. He has continued promoting those claims ahead of the November midterm elections as part of his campaign to pressure lawmakers to approve the SAVE Act.

Trump has argued that the legislation would help Republicans secure a "guaranteed" victory in November as they seek to maintain control of Congress.

Since taking office early last year, Trump has moved to reshape U.S. government agencies and institutions by appointing loyal allies and taking action against internal dissent.

Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by Kate Mayberry/Reuters