Ripple-era SEC chair Jay Clayton confirmed as DNI

The U.S. Senate confirmed former Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence on July 28 in a 51-47 party-line vote. Summary 51 senators confirmed Jay Clayton as intelligence director, while 47 opposed his nomination Tuesday evening. Clayton chaired the SEC when the agency filed its 2020 enforcement action against Ripple Labs. Ripple and the SEC dismissed their appeals in 2025, leaving the $125 million judgment intact. The appointment brings the official who led the SEC when it sued Ripple Labs in 2020 into a role coordinating the country’s 18 intelligence agencies. Clayton will replace acting Director William Pulte after completing the formal transition. President Donald Trump nominated him on June 11, and the Senate Intelligence Committee advanced the nomination 9-8 on July 21. Jay Clayton wins a narrow Senate confirmation The Senate invoked cloture on Clayton’s nomination by 51-43 on July 27 before approving him the following day. Republicans supported the confirmation, while Democrats opposed it. Clayton previously won Senate confirmation as SEC chair by 61-37 in 2017. His latest confirmation was more divided. Senate Intelligence Com...