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Welcome to The Logoff: Donald Trump has a new choice for director of national intelligence.
Who is the new guy? Jay Clayton, currently the US attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He is — at least by Trump’s standards — an uncontroversial pick: Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters Thursday that he has “great respect” for Clayton.
What is the context? The Director of National Intelligence vacancy comes because its current holder, former Representative Tulsi Gabbard, announced last month that she will step down later in June.
Pulte is completely unqualified for the role, and Trump’s decision to elevate him caused a bipartisan outcry. It also seems to have sunk, for now, the bill of reauthorize the foreign surveillance program that will end tomorrow.
Does Clayton’s appointment fix everything? Not at all. Clayton’s selection as a permanent DNI satisfies one request from lawmakers, but for now, Pulte is still slated to take over until Clayton is confirmed by the full Senate (which won’t happen before next Friday). On Thursday, Trump confirmed plans to put Pulte in an acting role.
When Pulte takes over, his role appears to be to “significantly reduce” the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, according to Reuters. There are also serious concerns about what else he could do with the job, even in the short term.
At the housing corporation he currently heads, he has taken on the responsibility of self-appointed mortgage fraud. Trump attack dogharass the political enemies of the president.
And so, it’s time to leave…
Hello readers, here it is great story about the wonders of the natural world (or, well, nature as Brooklyn’s Prospect Park gets it). My colleague Benji Jones set out to discover a new species in the park – not as impossible as it sounds, it just happened! – and told Vox’s It is indescribable podcast all about it. You can listen here.
Furthermore, the first goal of the 2026 World Cup will host Mexico, playing at home in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.
Have a good evening, and we’ll see you here tomorrow!
