Bill Pulte announced that the transition of leadership at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to Jay Clayton will begin on Monday, following discussions with the President and the incoming director.
Pulte thanked the President for the opportunity to serve as Acting Director, noting his involvement in overseeing extensive declassifications and restructuring efforts within the agency.
He offered his full support to Clayton as the new director and expressed confidence in Clayton’s ability to lead the intelligence community.
The Senate confirmed Clayton as Director of National Intelligence by a 51‑47 vote, succeeding Tulsi Gabbard. Clayton previously chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission and served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
The President issued a statement congratulating Clayton, describing him as outstanding and expressing confidence in his forthcoming performance.
In his final remarks before leaving office, Pulte announced a fifth round of personnel reductions, cutting approximately 30 percent of the intelligence workforce. He framed the action as necessary to protect the American people and reduce bureaucratic excess.
Earlier, the President indicated that James M. McDonald would be appointed United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, succeeding Clayton. McDonald previously clerked for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
