Trump picks ex-SEC chief Clayton for intelligence role

Trump will nominate Jay Clayton, currently US Attorney for Southern District of New York and former SEC Chairman, as Director of National Intelligence after congressional backlash over Bill Pulte's acting appointment. Clayton's Wall Street and financial regulation background brings markets expertise to a role increasingly focused on economic statecraft, sanctions enforcement, and financial intelligence against China and Iran. His lack of traditional intelligence experience will likely face Senate scrutiny, but his SDNY role overseeing terrorism, espionage and securities fraud cases provides some national security grounding. For business leaders, a DNI with deep financial markets knowledge could mean more sophisticated coordination between regulators and intelligence agencies on sanctions, cyber threats, and economic competition.