Former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman Walter ‘Jay’ Clayton is set to face a Senate hearing as President Donald Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence. The hearing comes amid concerns from Democrats over Trump’s temporary pick for the job, homebuilder scion and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte.

Concerns Over Pulte

Democrats have accused Pulte of playing politics with his powers at FHFA and worry that his lack of intel credentials and alleged partisanship endanger the role of DNI. Trump dismissed such claims, saying Democrats are ‘afraid’ of Pulte.

Clayton, meanwhile, comes before Congress with a resume that may be easier for Democrats to digest. As the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Clayton has overseen cases involving violent crime, drug trafficking, Wall Street-related enforcement, and national security matters.

Senate Majority Leader Weighs In

Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota said that Clayton’s role as SDNY does crossover into intelligence matters. ‘Jay Clayton is an eminently qualified individual to become the new director of national intelligence,’ Thune noted.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.