President Donald Trump has unexpectedly delayed the nomination of Jay Clayton to lead the U.S. intelligence community, using the critical appointment to pressure Congress on a voter-identification bill.
The move also hinges on the approval of James McDonald as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, a position of significant influence.
Trump announced on his social media platform in a lengthy post that he would keep Bill Pulte, a senior U.S. housing official, as acting director of national intelligence.
“The Republicans agreed with Dumocrats to remove very fair, and talented, William Pulte, from serving as Acting DNI in return for getting FISA approved by the Dumocrats,” Trump wrote in part.
This decision follows bipartisan opposition to Pulte’s initial nomination, citing his perceived lack of experience in intelligence, a factor that had previously prompted Trump to consider Clayton.
Clayton’s Senate confirmation hearing, which had been fast-tracked due to the lapse of a crucial surveillance program and widespread anger over Pulte’s selection, was abruptly canceled.
Trump stated the hearing would not proceed until McDonald is approved for the Southern District of New York role.
In a separate post, Trump also indicated he would not approve the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) unless his "Save America Act" was passed concurrently.
“Therefore, to add a slight bit of intrigue but, for the Good of the Nation, and the People of our Country, I will not approve FISA without THE SAVE AMERICA ACT going along with it,” Trump wrote.
McDonald, a former federal prosecutor, has been tapped by Trump to serve as the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan.
He previously worked as a financial regulator during Trump’s first term and in the White House counsel’s office under President George W. Bush.
A partner at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, McDonald is currently part of the legal team handling Trump’s appeal of felony convictions in New York related to hush money payments made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York is one of the Justice Department’s most influential positions, overseeing a vast portfolio of cases, including terrorism, espionage, securities fraud, and public corruption.
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