Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Trump Considers Jay Clayton for White House AI Czar
President Donald Trump is thinking about choosing Jay Clayton to help lead the government's work on artificial intelligence.
This job would involve coordinating AI policy and a planned AI task force.
Clayton is currently the director of national intelligence.
Before that, he led the Securities and Exchange Commission, which oversees parts of the financial system.
He also worked as a federal prosecutor in New York.
His office handled cases connected to Nicolás Maduro and reviewed files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Republicans have praised Clayton, while some Democrats have questioned his transition into intelligence leadership.
Trump has not yet officially appointed him as AI czar.
Donald Trump indicated that current intelligence chief Jay Clayton could be a strong choice for White House AI czar.
Clayton previously chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term.
He later served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York before becoming director of national intelligence.
As a prosecutor, Clayton's office handled cases involving Nicolás Maduro and reviews of Jeffrey Epstein-related Justice Department files.
Republicans praised Clayton's appointment to lead the intelligence community, while Democrats questioned his qualifications and the office's interim leadership.
- Who
- Donald Trump is considering Jay Clayton, the director of national intelligence, for the AI czar role.
- What
- Clayton could become the White House official responsible for leading AI policy and an AI task force.
- When
- Trump discussed the possibility on Tuesday, after announcing plans for an AI czar and task force.
- Where
- The proposed role would be in the White House; Clayton previously worked at the Securities and Exchange Commission and as a federal prosecutor in New York.
- Why
- Trump said Clayton would be a good choice, while the administration is responding to concerns about AI's potential risks and the need for coordination.
Supporters
Critics
Clayton's qualifications
Supporters
Trump called Clayton a good man and a good idea for the AI role, while Republicans described him as an outstanding choice for leading the intelligence community.
Critics
Democrats questioned Clayton's transition from financial regulation and prosecution into intelligence leadership, though Senator Mark Warner called him a capable public servant.
Clayton's election testimony
Supporters
Clayton said Joe Biden was certified as president and argued that election-related government processes needed improvement.
Critics
Democratic senators criticized Clayton's refusal during his confirmation hearing to directly say that Biden won the 2020 election.
- Proposed role
- White House artificial intelligence czar
- Candidate
- Jay Clayton
- Current position
- Director of national intelligence
- Previous senior role
- Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term
- Prosecutorial role
- U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York in 2025
- Related cases
- Cases involving Nicolás Maduro and reviews of Jeffrey Epstein-related Justice Department files
- Earlier AI czar
- Venture capitalist David Sacks previously held the role before moving to an external advisory position