Jay Clayton was sworn in as director of national intelligence on Monday, replacing Bill Pulte on the job despite an original plan to give Pulte more time to clean out the agency.
“The safety and security of the American people will be our North Star,” Clayton said in a statement.
Pulte was going to have two more weeks at DNI in order to continue his cuts to the agency and give Clayton time to wrap up his work in New York – where he was a prosecutor for the Southern District – and move to Washington, officials told The Post last week.
But, in a surprise announcement over the weekend, Pulte said he’d be stepping back on Monday to let Clayton, who had been approved by the Senate last week, take charge.
“After speaking with President Trump and Jay Clayton, we have decided the DNI transition will take place this coming Monday,” Pulte wrote on X.
Pulte’s tenure was controversial. He oversaw a 30% reduction in DNI staff between layoffs and sending on-loan workers back to their home agencies. Pulte also declassified intelligence tied to the 2020 election, including information that was used by President Trump in his speech to the nation in July where he accused China of interfering.
Clayton said on Monday he looked “forward to leading an organization and community that is streamlined, agile, team-oriented, and mission-focused.”
Both men were at Trump’s Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday to represent the agency.
Trump said he had no specific tasks for Clayton at the agency, which manages intelligence matters for the president.
“Just do a great job,” the president said on Sunday, describing his directive for Clayton.
And when asked by reporters if he wanted Clayton to continue Pulte’s work, Trump replied: “I want him to do what he wants to do. He’s outstanding.”
Clayton succeeds Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s first Senate-confirmed DNI. She stepped down this summer to care for her husband, who has cancer.
