Donald Trump’s pick to lead U.S. intelligence gave senators every answer except the one they wanted to hear. The nominee’s confirmation hearing turned contentious over questions about the 2020 election and press freedom.
Jay Clayton’s words on Joe Biden’s 2020 win became the flashpoint in his Donald Trump DNI hearing
Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence, refused to say Joe Biden won the 2020 election. CNBC reports that Clayton testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing. When asked repeatedly, Clayton instead stated, “I am not an election denier. Joe Biden was certified.”
The former SEC chair and current U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York faced tough questioning from Democrats. Sen. Jon Ossoff grilled Clayton on whether he knew about Tulsi Gabbard’s presence at a Georgia election office raid. Clayton claimed he only learned of Gabbard’s involvement from Ossoff during a private meeting earlier that week. Ossoff responded sharply, saying, “Your answers lack credibility. Your testimony lacks credibility.”
Sen. Angus King also questioned Clayton about previous comments he made on CNBC regarding election integrity. Clayton had said on Squawk Box, “We had a problem, a deep problem with voting in America.” He further told King that the audit trail available for elections was not up to expected standards. When asked whether voter fraud was a real problem, Clayton responded, “I don’t think we can say definitively whether there is, or is not, until we have better processes.”
Democrats also challenged Clayton over subpoenas his office served to New York Times reporters last week. The subpoenas targeted journalists who reported on security concerns related to a Qatari jet gifted to Trump. Clayton defended the move, saying he was confident procedures were in place to protect “First Amendment” freedoms.
Clayton’s nomination process has already faced disruption after Trump abruptly blocked his original June hearing. Trump had wanted Congress to attach a controversial election bill to an unrelated foreign surveillance law renewal. The Senate Intelligence Committee is expected to vote on Clayton’s nomination next week before sending it to the full Senate.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
