WASHINGTON – America’s intelligence community will have to wait a little longer for new management.
Newly confirmed Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton won’t be sworn in for a few weeks despite attending Friday’s cabinet meeting at Camp David, giving the Manhattan US Attorney a chance to wrap up his business in New York and prepare to move to DC, a senior administration official told The Post this week.
The delay will also give acting DNI Bill Pulte time to finish downsizing that has led to a 30% reduction in office staff between layoffs and sending on-loan workers back to their home agencies.
“The Intelligence Community must protect the American people, NOT the political whims of the bloated and corrupt elite class,” Pulte wrote on X earlier this week in announcing a fifth round of cuts.
Pulte will also have time to finish releasing sensitive information, including on the 2020 election, after President Trump said earlier this month that the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency could “declassify almost everything” while he’s in temporary charge at ODNI.
“Bill is there just for a fairly short period of time,” Trump told reporters on July 1. “But while he’s there, I said you can declassify whatever you want.”
The Senate voted 51-47 to confirm Clayton July 28, following the departure June 19 of Tulsi Gabbard.
As Manhattan US Attorney, Clayton oversees most prosecutions involving terrorism, financial crime and other complex and sensitive issues.
During his confirmation hearing, the 58-year-old argued that the modern intelligence battlefield is no longer limited to armies but covers the financial markets, supply chains, sanctions, energy markets and artificial intelligence.
Many lawmakers wanted to see Clayton as DNI as opposed to Pulte, who has no national security background.
Trump, however, has been satisfied with Pulte’s work in an acting capacity, officials say.
Clayton and Pulte were both at Friday’s cabinet meeting at Camp David. Trump welcomed Clayton to the group and the incoming DNI director received a round of applause.
Reps for Pulte and Clayton did not respond to requests for comment.
Gabbard stepped down this summer, citing the need to care for her sick husband.
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