Special Investigations

Press Freedom Defense Fund

Trump’s Intel Pick Played Key Role in NYT Subpoenas — But Some Democrats Still On the Fence

Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence is seen by some Democrats as a safer alternative to Trump loyalist Bill Pulte.

Progressive groups are demanding that Democrats on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence oppose Jay Clayton’s nomination as director of national intelligence, pointing to his role in an attempt to intimidate the New York Times over critical reporting on the Trump administration.

Some key Democrats, however, have so far not committed to opposing President Donald Trump’s nominee for the nation’s top intelligence job.

Clayton, who serves as the top federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, signed the subpoenas sent Friday that targeted New York Times journalists for their reporting on serious security flaws in the Qatari-donated Air Force One jet.

“It seems Jay Clayton is up to his eyeballs in sending intimidation subpoenas to reporters.”

“It seems Jay Clayton is up to his eyeballs in sending intimidation subpoenas to reporters.”

Two Democrats on the intelligence committee did not indicate whether the subpoenas were a dealbreaker for Clayton’s nomination, which is set to be the subject of a Wednesday hearing.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the vice chair of the committee, has not said whether he intends to vote in favor of Clayton’s nomination. He previously praised Clayton for having the “right temperament” when Trump tapped him, but has said he still wants to press the prosecutor about whether he will use the DNI post to pursue Trump’s 2020 election obsession.

Asked for comment about the subpoenas Tuesday, Warner said he anticipated that Clayton would be quizzed about the matter during his hearing.

“I think it’s important that we stand up for the independence of the press,” he said.

When asked by The Intercept whether the subpoenas were disqualifying for Clayton’s nomination, fellow intelligence committee member Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said, “I’ve got questions about it.”

Are Jeffries and Schumer Getting Ready to Greenlight Domestic Spy Power for Trump?

The cautious position staked out by the Democrats stood in sharp........

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