Jay Clayton, the nominee to lead U. S.
intelligence agencies, appeared before the Senate intelligence committee on Wednesday for a confirmation hearing.
The former Wall Street attorney seeks to replace acting director Bill Pulte, whose appointment has drawn bipartisan criticism.
Background and Controversy
Clayton, who served as Securities and Exchange Commission chair during Donald Trump's first term, has spent most of his career in finance.
His lack of intelligence experience mirrors that of Pulte, a former federal mortgage regulation chair.
Senate Republicans had scheduled the hearing last month to block Pulte from becoming acting director. However, Trump ordered Clayton not to attend, allowing Pulte to assume the role.
Since taking office, Pulte has fired several intelligence officials and planned a televised address with Trump on foreign election interference.
Clayton has faced scrutiny for supporting election fraud theories. He previously criticized California's mail-in voting laws, calling them an "opportunity for fraud."
Trump continues to claim the electoral process is rigged without providing evidence.
The confirmation hearing is the final step before Clayton can officially take charge of the U. S.
intelligence apparatus.
