President Trump is hitting pause on his own pick to lead US intelligence. In an overnight Truth Social post, Trump said he was postponing a Wednesday confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence, tying the delay to his anger over the stalled renewal of a key foreign surveillance authority known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, as well as the lack of support for his preferred voter-ID legislation, which he calls the "SAVE America Act," per NBC News.
"I will not approve FISA without THE SAVE AMERICA ACT going along with it," the president wrote, noting he was tacking on the voter ID bill "to add a slight bit of intrigue." Trump accused Democrats of backing out of a deal on FISA renewal after the GOP moved quickly on Clayton's nomination, adding that "the Republicans fell into a trap."
"The abrupt announcement creates instant uncertainty over the long-term leadership of the 18-agency intelligence community and dashes hopes for a swift renewal of a crucial surveillance program," notes the AP. Trump added in his social media post that Clayton, who's meant to replace Tulsi Gabbard after her resignation, will stay put as US attorney for the Southern District of New York for now, with the controversial Bill Pulte remaining as acting DNI chief until James McDonald, the former prosecutor and Trump attorney replacing Clayton in his current role in New York, is given the official green light for that spot, per NBC.
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