Why Trump delays Jay Clayton’s Intel nomination: Key reasons explained

President Donald Trump has officially cancelled today's scheduled Senate hearing for Jay Clayton, his nominee for Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

In his Truth Social post, the US President declared that he will not move forward with Clayton’s confirmation until his nominee for US Attorney, Jamie McDonald, is fully approved and confirmed.

Last week, Trump confirmed the nomination of Clayton, the US Attorney of New York, as the next spy chief amid a political turbulence over Bill Pulte, currently serving as Acting Director of National Intelligence for the time being picked by the President.

To fill the position, Trump nominated James McDonald as the US Attorney for the southern district of New York. This position is at the heart of this standoff because it is one of the most powerful prosecutorial role in America.

To officially become the US Attorney, the nomination demands Senate confirmation. To secure the position of McDonald, Trump has decided to hold off Clayton’s nomination.

Trump also noted that Republicans reached a bipartisan agreement to remove Pulte from the intelligence post in exchange for the passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

"However, the Republicans moved so fast with the hearings of the Great Jay Clayton ... that Pulte would be gone before the (Democrats) would vote on FISA ," he said, claiming that Democrats now say they would ​vote against FISA.

The president also expressed that he might not be able to secure McDonald’s confirmation due to Republican's affinity with the “blue slip” process. He also emphasised that he will not approve the reauthorization of the FISA unless it is paired with passage of the Save America Act.

“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,” Trump explained

Last week, Congress rejected a short term extension of foreign surveillance powers requested by Donald Trump. This standoff stems from Trump’s Pulte nomination as this decision received opposition from lawmakers.