The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee holds a confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton, President Donald Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, despite reports of White House pressure. CBS News reports that Republican Sen. Tom Cotton said Trump directed Clayton to skip the hearing. CBS notes the Senate delayed the confirmation hearing after Cotton raised the claim, while the committee and nomination process proceed under that dispute.
PBS NewsHour reports that Cotton indicates the committee plans to proceed with the hearing on Wednesday unless Trump orders Clayton not to appear or withdraws the nomination. The coverage characterizes the situation as a test of whether the nominee will comply with the hearing schedule while the Senate evaluates the nomination. Both outlets describe the hearing’s timing as contested and contingent on whether any presidential directive affects Clayton’s participation or the nomination status. The reports do not provide independent confirmation of the president’s alleged instructions, but they agree the hearing moves forward amid uncertainty and public statements by the committee chairman.
