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Jay Clayton sworn in as US director of national intelligence

Clayton will oversee 18 US intelligence agencies after taking over a role vacated in June by Tulsi Gabbard.

Reported · Written up by our desk · North America

Jay Clayton was sworn in on Monday as the US director of national intelligence after a contentious Senate confirmation hearing, where he declined to directly acknowledge that President Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, according to Reuters via SCMP Economy.

Clayton takes over a position vacated in June when Tulsi Gabbard stepped down, a Reuters account said. In a statement released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Clayton said the safety and security of Americans would be the guiding priority, and he added that he would work to ensure intelligence work is not weaponised for political motives.

The Senate confirmed Trump’s nominee last week despite opposition from Democrats, Reuters reported, with Democrats criticizing Clayton for repeatedly refusing during the hearing to directly acknowledge Trump’s loss to Democrat Joe Biden. The move comes with just over three months before midterm elections decide which party controls Congress, and Trump has made “election security” a central issue, Reuters said.

Clayton, who previously served as US attorney for the Southern District of New York, will oversee 18 US intelligence agencies, Reuters reported.

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