President Donald Trump on Thursday announced his selection of U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to serve as Director of National Intelligence on a permanent basis.

Clayton currently serves as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and formerly led the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"I am pleased to announce the Nomination of very Highly Respected Jay Clayton, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the former Head of Sullivan & Cromwell, one of the most prominent and successful Law Firms anywhere in the World, and the current United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to be the next Director of National Intelligence and, importantly, to serve in my Cabinet," he posted on Truth Social. 

"Few people anywhere in the Legal Community are respected at the level of Jay. I encourage the United States Senate to confirm Jay as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he added.

If confirmed, Clayton will succeed the outgoing Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her resignation in the wake of her husband's cancer diagnosis. Federal Housing Finance Agency chief Bill Pulte currently serves as acting DNI.

Clayton's nomination came the same day that the House voted down an extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which authorizes key spy powers. Democrats have hoped to use the provision's extension as leverage against Pulte's appointment, with many lawmakers concerned that the position suggested Trump would use the office to pursue his political opponents.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.