Trump's pick for US spy chief due to be approved in Senate vote after confirmation hearing

The US Senate is poised to confirm Jay Clayton as the Director of National Intelligence, a role overseeing the nation's 18 intelligence agencies. The confirmation process is expected to conclude within days, despite a contentious hearing.

Clayton's nomination advanced from the Senate Intelligence Committee with a narrow 9-8 vote, exclusively with Republican support. Democrats voiced significant concerns during the hearing, particularly regarding Clayton's reluctance to directly state that former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. He also faced questions about his decision to issue subpoenas to New York Times journalists.

The position of Director of National Intelligence was established after the September 11, 2001 attacks to coordinate intelligence efforts. Senators are reportedly eager for Clayton to assume the role, partly due to dissatisfaction with the current interim director, Bill Pulte, who is seen as a Trump loyalist lacking national security experience and has been reducing staff at the agency.

Clayton's confirmation is largely anticipated due to the Republican majority in the Senate. Even if Democrats oppose his nomination, the GOP's 53-47 advantage is expected to secure his approval. The Senate is scheduled to hold a procedural vote on Monday evening to determine if Clayton's nomination will proceed to a final confirmation vote later in the week.

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From start to finish, Mr. Clayton has proven himself incapable of telling