More than two days after the Senate narrowly confirmed Jay Clayton to serve as Director of National Intelligence, the senior federal prosecutor supported by Republican senators has not taken the oath of office, four U.S. officials told MS NOW, on the condition of anonymity to describe internal discussions.
Instead, Bill Pulte, a Trump loyalist with no experience in intelligence who has aggressively curried favor with the president, remains in one of the country’s most powerful intelligence positions.
White House officials told MS NOW on Thursday they did not know when Clayton would take office as DNI or whether Clayton or Pulte would participate in a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday.
Democrats and former intelligence officials expressed alarm and bafflement at President Trump’s delay in swearing in Clayton for the important security role at a moment when the U.S. war with Iran is intensifying.
“Why confirm someone for one of our nation’s most important intelligence posts if no one can say when they’ll actually take office?” Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee told MS NOW. “The administration owes Congress and the American people an explanation.”
Sen Chris Coons, D-Del., said he feared Pulte was being kept in place to lay off more intelligence officials at a dangerous time. “I’m deeply concerned that they are going to keep Pulte there to continue firing people,” he told MS NOW.
In addition to serving as acting DNI, Pulte is also currently the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Clayton was confirmed as DNI by the Senate Tuesday night, and he resigned on Wednesday from his former position as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Current and former U.S. officials told MS NOW that intelligence officials traditionally begin their tenures as soon as they are confirmed by the Senate. “Usually they do these quickly,” said a current U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive decisions.
Last month, Pulte played a central role in helping Trump spread false claims regarding the security of U.S. elections in a prime-time speech.
In an apparent effort to impress Trump, Pulte said in social media posts this week that he has laid off 30% of the Office of Director of National Intelligence’s workforce.
Democrats and former intelligence officials say they have seen no evidence those layoffs have occurred.
The post Jay Clayton still hasn’t taken office as DNI, leaving Senate Democrats worried appeared first on MS NOW.
