Trump pushes to delay appointment of new spy chief in legislative standoff (opens original article in a new tab)

Trump delayed the confirmation of his DNI nominee, Jay Clayton, to pressure Democrats on surveillance and voter ID legislation, keeping acting DNI Bill Pulte in his role despite concerns over his qualifications.

• Trump delayed confirmation of DNI nominee Jay Clayton to pressure Democrats on surveillance and voter ID laws
• Acting DNI Bill Pulte remains in role despite concerns over his lack of intelligence experience
• Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Tom Cotton postponed Clayton's hearing after Trump directed him not to appear
• Democrats criticized Trump's actions as chaotic and detrimental to national security
• Trump linked FISA renewal to passage of the Save America Act requiring voter IDs