Trump Holds DNI Nomination Hostage in FISA and Spending Fight

President Trump has delayed Jay Clayton's nomination as Director of National Intelligence, tying the position to legislative negotiations over FISA reauthorization and the "Save America" spending package. The move surprises Senate leadership—Majority Leader John Thune backed Clayton publicly just two days before the delay was reported. At stake: permanent leadership of the seventeen-agency intelligence community and the president's principal adviser on national intelligence.