U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the Senate hearing scheduled for Wednesday for Jay Clayton's nomination as director of national intelligence will not proceed.
Trump said the hearing will not take place until Jamie McDonald is confirmed as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The Senate Intelligence Committee had planned to hold the hearing for Clayton on Wednesday afternoon.
FISA dispute affects the process
Trump also linked the postponement to the dispute over the renewal of Section 702 of FISA. This provision allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreign targets located outside the country.
The president argued that Democrats have stepped back from an agreement on current intelligence and surveillance regulations. According to Trump, the process regarding Clayton's nomination has also been caught up in this tension.
Trump also said he will not support the renewal of FISA powers unless Congress also advances the administration-backed SAVE AMERICA ACT. Thus, the intelligence leadership, surveillance powers, and election security agendas have become locked in the same package.
Bill Pulte to remain acting head
Trump stated that Bill Pulte will remain acting head of the intelligence agency until Jamie McDonald is confirmed. It was previously announced that Pulte would take over the role on June 19.
The president claimed that Republicans and Democrats have not kept their promises to each other in the FISA process, leading to a deadlock. In his statement, he also emphasized that he does not want Clayton to leave his position immediately.
Clayton's file was being considered amid the debate over the future of U.S. intelligence leadership and the reauthorization of key surveillance powers. The suspension of the Senate hearing showed that these issues have become part of the same negotiation.
