WASHINGTON – The nation’s intelligence agencies will have to wait a bit longer before their next leader formally takes the reins.
Jay Clayton, the newly confirmed director of national intelligence, is not expected to be sworn in for several weeks, even after attending Friday’s Cabinet meeting at Camp David, a senior administration official told The Post this week. The delay will allow the Manhattan US attorney time to finish pending work in New York and prepare for his move to Washington, DC.
The extra time also gives acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte room to complete a downsizing effort that has cut office staffing by 30%, through a combination of layoffs and the return of employees on loan from other agencies to their original posts.
“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 while announcing a fifth round of reductions.
Pulte is also expected to continue releasing sensitive materials, including information related to the 2020 election, after President Trump said earlier this month that the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency could “declassify almost everything” while temporarily leading the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
“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 confirmed Clayton on July 28 in a 51-47 vote, weeks after Tulsi Gabbard left the post on June 19.
In his role as Manhattan US attorney, Clayton oversees many of the office’s most high-profile prosecutions, including cases involving terrorism, financial crime and other complex or sensitive matters.
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.
