President Trump Nominates Jay Clayton to Lead Intelligence Office

President Trump announced his intent to nominate Jay Clayton as director of National Intelligence. Bill Pulte is scheduled to serve as acting director following Tulsi Gabbard's departure last week. Trump stated that he intends for Pulte to reduce the size of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The office has already undergone a reported 40 percent workforce reduction.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence coordinates 18 organizations within the intelligence community. It was established by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The office manages intelligence collection resources and publishes the National Intelligence Priorities Framework.

It also sets analytic standards and oversees intelligence sharing with foreign partners.

The position was created after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to serve as a central coordinating authority. Senate Intelligence Vice Chair Mark Warner stated that discussion is needed before changes to organizations formed after those attacks. The 9/11 Commission report identified problems with one person holding multiple leadership roles in the intelligence community.

Officials have not identified another organization to assume the office's current functions.