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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
David Smith

Jay Clayton sworn in as US director of national intelligence

A middle-aged man in a blue suit speaks into a microphone.
Jay Clayton testifies during his confirmation hearing in Washington DC on 15 July 2026. Photograph: Nathan Posner/Shutterstock

Jay Clayton has been sworn in as the US’s top spy after a contentious Senate confirmation hearing during which ⁠he refused to directly ⁠acknowledge ​that Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election.

The oath of office was administered to Clayton on Tuesday by the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, in the Oval Office as the president looked on and applauded. He becomes the ninth director of national intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who stepped down in June.

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