Clayton, if confirmed, would replace Bill Pulte, whose position as acting intelligence chief has prompted outcry

Jay Clayton, the US attorney for the southern district of New York, will face senators on the intelligence committee Wednesday morning in a confirmation hearing to become the nation’s next intelligence chief.

Clayton, if confirmed, would replace Bill Pulte, whom Donald Trump installed as acting director of national intelligence last month. Pulte’s position atop the American intelligence agencies has been deeply divisive on Capitol Hill, with members of both parties saying his background as the chair of a federal mortgage regulation agency is not enough experience for the job, and that Pulte’s unwavering loyalty to Trump and willingness to punish the president’s political enemies makes him a dangerous spy chief.

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