Trump further wrote that Clayton was “highly respected.” He cited his current position as attorney general for the Southern District of New York State as well as previous leadership positions at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell. The president called on the Senate to confirm the new intelligence coordinator in office “as soon as possible.”
Clayton is expected to hold the office permanently – unlike Pulte, whom Trump appointed as acting successor to Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her resignation because her husband was suffering from cancer.
The 38-year-old Pulte is currently head of the federal supervisory authority for real estate loans and has no experience with intelligence services. However, he had helped Trump attack political opponents and was therefore called “Trump’s attack dog” in the media.
Democrats reacted with outrage to Pulte’s nomination, but there was also opposition from Republicans. The US House of Representatives then gave Trump a lesson: This Thursday, the majority voted against Trump’s desired extension of spying rights against suspected terrorists or agents from abroad. 19 Republican representatives also refused to support the president.
With Clayton’s nomination, the way may now be clear for a new vote. If the Senate confirms the lawyer before June 19, Pulte would no longer be eligible. He was supposed to take over as acting head of the secret service on this date.
