Jay Clayton pressed on 2020 election at DNI nomination hearing | CyberScoop<\/title> <meta name=\"description\" content=\"Democratic senators pressed Trump\u2019s DNI nominee Jay Clayton on election integrity and the 2020 results during a tense confirmation hearing, leaving without clear answers.\"> <link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/jay-clayton-dni-confirmation-hearing-election-security\/\"> <meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\"> <meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"> <meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Dems press DNI nominee Jay Clayton on election security questions, but leave dismayed\"> <meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Democratic senators pressed Trump\u2019s DNI nominee Jay Clayton on election integrity and the 2020 results during a tense confirmation hearing, leaving without clear answers.\"> <meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/jay-clayton-dni-confirmation-hearing-election-security\/\"> <meta 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class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <main id=\"main\" role=\"main\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--top ad--top-mobile\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"stickybar\" class=\"stickybar stickybar--newsletter js-stickybar\" readability=\"0.82\"> <button class=\"stickybar__close js-stickybar-close\" aria-controls=\"stickybar\"> <svg class=\"icon icon--close\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"m.822.518-.805.805L9.695 11 .017 20.678l.805.805 9.678-9.678 9.677 9.678.806-.805L11.305 11l9.678-9.677-.806-.805-9.677 9.677L.822.518Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span> <\/button> <\/section>\n<article class=\"single-article content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__container js-single-article-content\">\n<header class=\"single-article__header \" readability=\"26.623376623377\">\n<div class=\"single-article__header-content\" readability=\"35.901840490798\">\n<ul class=\"single-article__eyebrow\">\n<li class=\"single-article__category\"> <a class=\"single-article__category-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/jay-clayton-dni-confirmation-hearing-election-security\/\"> <span>Election Security<\/span> <\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> Clayton maintained he was not an \u201celection denier\u201d but wouldn\u2019t directly answer a number of questions about the 2020 race, his predecessor\u2019s appearance at a January election office raid and more. <\/p>\n<p>  <br \/>\n<audio id=\"audio-player\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-tts-cdn.api.scpnewsgrp.com\/cyberscoop\/89831\/english.openai.mp3\"><\/audio> <\/p>\n<div readability=\"11\">\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p>0:00<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"tts-tooltip\">Learn more.<\/span> <span> This feature uses an automated voice, which may result in occasional errors in pronunciation, tone, or sentiment. <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed.jpg?resize=640%2C426&ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-4.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-4.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, 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https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-4.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-4.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-4.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\"><figcaption> Jay Clayton appears before the Senate Intelligence Committee during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill July 15, 2026 Currently serving as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Clayton’s hearing comes days after his department signed off on controversial subpoenas against New York Times reporters. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\"> <html readability=\"83.865885587119\"><body readability=\"173.6575535513\"><\/p>\n<p>Democratic senators pressed President Donald Trump\u2019s pick for director of national intelligence on questions of election security and integrity Wednesday, but they didn\u2019t leave his nomination hearing satisfied with the answers.<\/p>\n<p>As is typical for Trump administration nominees, Jay Clayton wouldn\u2019t answer definitively at his Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing whether Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, saying only that he was \u201ccertified,\u201d while maintaining that he wasn\u2019t an \u201celection denier.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence\u2019s responsibilities were \u201cprincipally\u201d outside the United States. But he claimed varying degrees of ignorance about his predecessor, Tulsi Gabbard, being physically present at an FBI raid of a Georgia election office in January, and wouldn\u2019t comment on its appropriateness.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic senators were also frustrated while trying to pin down Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York who served as head of the Securities and Exchange Commission in Trump\u2019s first term, on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/politics\/articles\/cnbc-sorkin-battles-top-trump-143517186.html\">remarks about mail-in ballots and the California primary election results<\/a> last month.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Multiple senators, including Mark Warner, D-Va., Angus King, I-Maine and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., tried to get Clayton to say whether Biden won the 2020 election. The final exchange came with Jon Ossoff, D-Ga.<\/p>\n<p>Clayton protested that he had already answered. \u201cI think I\u2019ve answered the question,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can keep doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ossoff didn\u2019t agree, telling him, \u201cWell we\u2019re going to keep doing it because you\u2019re not being honest or forthright with the committee.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIsn\u2019t it humiliating to be unable to answer this question?\u201d he asked. \u201cTo have to indulge the president\u2019s delusions? We know, you know, everybody in this room knows the truthful answer to that question. Why can you not give it?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Earlier Clayton had said, \u201cI\u2019m not an election denier,\u201d but repeatedly wouldn\u2019t answer \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d on whether Biden won in 2020.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>That matters because of the DNI\u2019s role, Kelly said, and it was worrying that Clayton was seeking to avoid upsetting Trump, who has maintained despite all evidence that he lost the 2020 election.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not about softening the edges when the truth is unpleasant,\u201d Kelly said. \u201cIt\u2019s about delivering information.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Clayton discussed the DNI\u2019s role on election security at greater length in pre-hearing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.intelligence.senate.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/aphq-clayton-071526.pdf\">written answers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI understand that the DNI, as head of the Intelligence Community, has substantial statutory authority to address national intelligence threats to U.S. elections,\u201d he said. \u201cIn particular, the Director is responsible for the integration of national intelligence, which may include foreign intelligence threats to U.S. election activity. I also understand that Intelligence Community elements are authorized to cooperate with and provide appropriate intelligence and technical support to law enforcement agencies and that as head of the Intelligence Community, the DNI has oversight of those activities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A CNBC interview last month inspired some of the Democrats\u2019 questions. Clayton said in response to questions about the California primaries that \u201cOn the integrity side, we\u2019re doing an absolutely terrible job. And the American people are right to question it.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>He said mail-in ballots present an \u201copportunity for fraud,\u201d despite studies showing exceptionally low rates of fraud using that method, and said \u201cmail-in ballots being used by one group and not another\u2026 honestly and dishonestly\u201d was a \u201cquestion that everyone is now asking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked him about what group Clayton was referring to.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c\u201dI would like to see where you\u2019re pulling those quotes from. I\u2019ve been very careful about my remarks on this,\u201d Clayton answered. \u201cI\u2019d like to see the whole passage.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In his questionnaire, when asked if \u201cit would be inappropriate for a DNI to comment publicly about unsubstantiated claims regarding mail-in-ballots and election fraud,\u201d Clayton answered that \u201cIf confirmed as DNI, any representations I make to the public, including about elections, will be informed by timely, objective national intelligence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ossoff also had a tense exchange with Clayton when asking him about Gabbard\u2019s appearance at the Fulton County office raid. Gabbard has said she was there because Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/show\/gabbard-says-trump-asked-her-to-be-at-fbi-election-center-raid-as-scrutiny-intensifies\">asked her to be<\/a>, in what subsequently became a highly publicized appearance because of questions about what the DNI would be doing at a law enforcement raid.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cI was made aware of it by you yesterday,\u201d Clayton said.<\/p>\n<p>Ossoff responded skeptically: \u201cThe first time you learned that Director Gabbard was present at that raid was in my office yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Said Clayton: \u201cIt was the first time that in my recollection I\u2019ve thought about it recently.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat?\u201d Ossoff replied.<\/p>\n<p>Warner, the top Democrat on the committee, told Clayton \u201cI trust you\u201d but it \u201cstrains credulity\u201d that he wasn\u2019t aware of Gabbard being at the raid.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cTo be clear, the ODNI\u2019s role is principally outside of the United States,\u201d Clayton said.<\/p>\n<p>On other topics, in his opening remarks, Clayton touted his SEC work on cybersecurity. In his questionnaire he said he would work to facilitate cyberthreat information sharing from his office.<\/p>\n<p>He told Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., that he would evaluate whether the DNI should devote more resources to cybersecurity with federal government cyber experts being pushed out since Trump came back to office. Many Republicans are pushing to further reduce the size of Clayton\u2019s office, contending it has become bloated beyond Congress\u2019 original intentions as a coordinating body.<\/p>\n<p>He said he supported renewal of <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/section-702-fisa-surveillance-law-renewal-congress-debate\/\">Section 702<\/a> of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which gives the executive branch controversial spying powers that Congress recently allowed to expire.<\/p>\n<p>Trump has threatened to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/06\/17\/us\/politics\/trump-fisa-history.html\">block renewal<\/a> unless lawmakers advance his priority election bill. He said he will study how to \u201cminimize the detrimental impact to our national security caused by the lapse in 702 authorities.\u201d Some Democrats, meanwhile, have resisted action on the law until Trump\u2019s pick for acting DNI Bill Pulte <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courthousenews.com\/house-republicans-plow-ahead-with-short-term-extension-of-fisa-surveillance-powers-amid-senate-quagmire\/\">is gone<\/a>, citing his prior efforts to investigate officials as head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and lack of intelligence experience.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Because the GOP controls the Senate, Clayton is likely to get confirmed as DNI as long as no Republicans emerge in opposition. Wednesday\u2019s hearing revealed no significant Republican objections.<\/p>\n<p>Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton, R-Ark., touted Clayton\u2019s experience prosecuting terrorism cases and more.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJay Clayton has worked hand in glove with our intelligence agencies and counterterrorism personnel to lock up criminals who threaten our national security,\u201d Clayton said. \u201cI encourage my colleagues to join me and get Mr. Clayton\u2019s nomination over the finish line.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/body> <\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\">\n<div class=\"author-card\" readability=\"7.7216117216117\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-1.jpg?w=640&ssl=1\" alt=\"Tim Starks\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"author-card__details\" readability=\"10.901098901099\">\n<h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Tim Starks<\/h4>\n<p> Tim Starks is senior reporter at CyberScoop. His previous stops include working at The Washington Post, POLITICO and Congressional Quarterly. An Evansville, Ind. native, he’s covered cybersecurity since 2003. Email Tim here: <a href=\"mailto:tim.starks@cyberscoop.com\">tim.starks@cyberscoop.com<\/a>. <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__tags-container\">\n<h4 class=\"single-article__tags-title\">In This Story<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p> <\/html><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__ads js-single-article-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-5 ad--rightrail_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-4 ad--rightrail_2 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-3 ad--rightrail_3 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"popular-stories popular-stories--single-post\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__container\">\n<h2 class=\"popular-stories__title\"> More Scoops <\/h2>\n<div class=\"popular-stories__stories\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__cards\">\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \" readability=\"19.394153225806\">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/democratic-senators-question-national-security-officials-over-war-plans-signal-chat\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"506\" height=\"337\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-2.jpg?resize=506%2C337&ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-md size-ratio-16-9-md wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-5.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-5.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-5.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-5.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-5.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-5.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-5.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-5.jpg?resize=506,337 506w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-5.jpg?resize=1013,675 1013w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-5.jpg?resize=1265,843 1265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 506px) 100vw, 506px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, accompanied by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, speaks during a Senate Committee on Intelligence hearing Tuesday. (Photo by Andrew Harnik\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\" readability=\"1.5490909090909\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/democratic-senators-question-national-security-officials-over-war-plans-signal-chat\/\"> Senators criticize Trump officials\u2019 discussion of war plans over Signal, but administration answers don\u2019t come easily <\/a> <\/h3>\n<p> An Intelligence Committee hearing focused on the security risks of a cabinet-level group chat that included a reporter from The Atlantic. <\/p>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/author\/tim-starkscyberscoop-com\/\"> Tim Starks <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p> <\/header>\n<p> <\/article>\n<article class=\"post-item post-item--popular-stories-cards \">\n<figure class=\"post-item__thumbnail\"> <a class=\"post-item__thumbnail-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/tulsi-gabbard-director-national-intelligence-section-702-snowden\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"252\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-3.jpg?resize=252%2C168&ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-ratio-16-9-sm size-ratio-16-9-sm wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg 4827w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg?resize=505,337 505w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg?resize=1012,675 1012w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed-6.jpg?resize=1264,843 1264w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 252px) 100vw, 252px\"> <\/a><figcaption class=\"screen-reader-text\"> Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee to be Director of National Intelligence, arrives to testify during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Gabbard, a former Congresswoman from Hawaii who previously ran for president as a Democrat before joining the Republican Party and supporting President Trump, is facing criticism from Senators over her lack of intelligence experience and her opinions on domestic surveillance powers. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<header class=\"post-item__meta\">\n<h3 class=\"post-item__title\"> <a class=\"post-item__title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/tulsi-gabbard-director-national-intelligence-section-702-snowden\/\"> Tulsi Gabbard tussles with senators over Snowden, surveillance <\/a> <\/h3>\n<div class=\"post-item__byline\"> <span class=\"post-item__author\"> <span>By <\/span> <a class=\"post-item__author-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/author\/derek-johnson\/\"> Derek B. Johnson <\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n<p> <\/header>\n<p> <\/article>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/div>\n<p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<section class=\"latest-podcasts\">\n<h2 class=\"latest-podcasts__title\"> Latest Podcasts\t<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"top-categories\">\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Government<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Technology<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/main> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--bottom \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"interstitial\" class=\"welcome__container\"> <button id=\"close-modal-1\" class=\"welcome__clickable_area\"><\/button> <\/p>\n<div class=\"welcome__ad_wrapper\">\n<p> <button id=\"close-modal-3\" class=\"welcome__continue-button\">Continue to CyberScoop<\/button> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>   <\/body> <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/jay-clayton-dni-confirmation-hearing-election-security\/\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jay Clayton pressed on 2020 election at DNI nomination hearing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3482,7071,2020,292,1826,117,7072,3695,3983,1591,910,269,2054,2565,3623],"tags":[3486,7073,2021,298,1832,119,7074,3696,3988,1592,911,275,2055,2581,3625],"class_list":["post-8830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-angus-king","category-bill-pulte","category-director-of-national-intelligence","category-election-security","category-fisa","category-government","category-jay-clayton","category-kirsten-gillibrand","category-mark-kelly","category-mark-warner","category-office-of-the-director-of-national-intelligence-odni","category-section-702","category-senate-intelligence-committee","category-tom-cotton","category-tulsi-gabbard","tag-angus-king","tag-bill-pulte","tag-director-of-national-intelligence","tag-election-security","tag-fisa","tag-government","tag-jay-clayton","tag-kirsten-gillibrand","tag-mark-kelly","tag-mark-warner","tag-office-of-the-director-of-national-intelligence-odni","tag-section-702","tag-senate-intelligence-committee","tag-tom-cotton","tag-tulsi-gabbard"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","chromenews-featured":"","chromenews-large":"","chromenews-medium":""},"author_info":{"display_name":"Cyber Scoop","author_link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/author\/cyberscoop\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/angus-king\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Angus King<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/bill-pulte\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Bill Pulte<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/director-of-national-intelligence\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Director of National Intelligence<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/election-security\/\" rel=\"category tag\">election security<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/fisa\/\" rel=\"category tag\">FISA<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/government\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Government<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/jay-clayton\/\" rel=\"category tag\">jay clayton<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/kirsten-gillibrand\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Kirsten Gillibrand<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/mark-kelly\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Mark Kelly<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/mark-warner\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Mark Warner<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/office-of-the-director-of-national-intelligence-odni\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/section-702\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Section 702<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/senate-intelligence-committee\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Senate Intelligence Committee<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/tom-cotton\/\" rel=\"category tag\">tom cotton<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/tulsi-gabbard\/\" rel=\"category tag\">tulsi gabbard<\/a>","tag_info":"tulsi gabbard","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8830"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8830\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

{"id":8830,"date":"2026-07-15T13:29:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T18:29:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=89831"},"modified":"2026-07-15T13:29:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T18:29:39","slug":"dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/15\/dems-press-dni-nominee-jay-clayton-on-election-security-questions-but-leave-dismayed\/","title":{"rendered":"Dems press DNI nominee Jay Clayton on election security questions, but leave dismayed"},"content":{"rendered":"