Mark Warner Slams Trump’s DNI Pick Jay Clayton, Vows to Vote Against Him

Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia is ready to vote against President Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, Jay Clayton, after a lackluster performance at a recent confirmation hearing. Warner's disappointment comes despite his earlier optimism about Clayton.

"I've known Jay for a long time. I like Jay. I worked well with him when he was at the SEC. But I was bitterly disappointed by his performance in front of my committee," Warner stated on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."

Clayton, previously a respected leader in the U.S. Attorney's Office, was nominated to replace Tulsi Gabbard. During his Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing, Warner, the committee's top Democrat, expressed dissatisfaction with Clayton's responses to questions from both himself and other committee members.

Democrats grilled Clayton on the 2020 election results. While he acknowledged that Joe Biden was certified as president and claimed he is "not an election denier," he dodged direct questions about the election outcome.

Warner highlighted Clayton's evasive response regarding Gabbard's involvement in an FBI search at an elections hub in Fulton County, Georgia, earlier this year, suggesting that Clayton feigned ignorance about Gabbard's actions.

"So I will be voting against Jay Clayton," Warner declared.

Despite Warner's opposition, Clayton is likely to advance out of committee due to the Republican majority. If he clears this hurdle, confirmation in the Senate is expected.

Warner lamented the current situation with acting director of national intelligence Bill Pulte, stating, "we're a little rock-in-a-hard-place here."

"I know Jay Clayton will probably get confirmed. I hope we see the Jay Clayton that I have known and have worked with," Warner said. He also criticized Pulte, who lacks intelligence experience and shows unwavering loyalty to Trump.

Warner pointed out Pulte's troubling actions, including issuing criminal referrals to the Justice Department alleging mortgage fraud against several of Trump's political opponents, stating, "that is not the kind of person we want in as DNI."

Warner's remarks come after he had previously praised Trump's nomination of Clayton just weeks ago, expressing hope for a swift confirmation.