Delivering a statement via Truth Social returning from the G7 in France. President Trump has suspended the nomination of SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, cancelling Wednesday afternoon’s SSCI hearing on the nomination.
The late-night timing appears to be due to President Trump focused on the G7 discussions and now turns his focus back to the domestic agenda; DNI, Save America Act and FISA (702) reauthorization.
President Trump outlines in the Truth Social post that FISA (702) renewal must be attached to the Save America Act, and Jay Clayton’s replacement, Jamie McDonald, must be confirmed to replace Clayton in the SDNY prior to the DNI nomination moving forward. This position puts Bill Pulte’s appointment as Acting DNI back into the mix.
VIA TRUTH SOCIAL – “The Republicans agreed with Dumocrats to remove very fair, and talented, William Pulte, from serving as Acting DNI in return for getting FISA approved by the Dumocrats. However, the Republicans moved so fast with the hearings of the Great Jay Clayton, current U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, that Pulte would be gone before the Dumocrats would vote on FISA.
Now, the Dumocrats are saying they will vote against FISA — So, the Republicans wound up having fulfilled their commitment, but Dumocrats broke the Deal.
In addition, the newly nominated U.S. Attorney, Jamie McDonald, must be confirmed and blue slipped. Because of the ridiculous views of Republicans on blue slipping (Dumocrats are often willing to nix it), I may not be able to get the extraordinary Sullivan & Cromwell Partner, Jamie, approved, and I don’t want to take Jay Clayton away from the great job he is doing until Jamie is in place.
Therefore, to add a slight bit of intrigue but, for the Good of the Nation, and the People of our Country, I will not approve FISA without THE SAVE AMERICA ACT going along with it. Not complicated, actually, the Republicans fell into a trap.
Regarding the approval of our Great Patriot, Jay Clayton, we are cancelling the Senate Hearing RE: DNI today, and will not be going forward until Jamie McDonald is approved to be U.S. Attorney. In the meantime, Bill Pulte will remain as the Acting Director of National Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
None of these back-and-forth moves would be necessary if Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune were aligned with the Republican President. Alas, with Thune representing a dysfunctional wing of a Senate UniParty, his priorities are in alignment against the President.
This was where things stood with Thune before the Truth Social post (prompted).
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In a note of irony, I think we can all thank John Cornyn for this outcome and response by President Trump. John Cornyn told AG nominee Todd Blanche he was withholding support until the DOJ gave him Trump family tax information.
However, John Cornyn was very happy with Jay Clayton and FISA renewal.
So, Trump suspended Jay Clayton and FISA renewal.
