GOP breaks with Trump over surprise play to bench DNI nominee: Colossal mistake

WASHINGTON — President Trump on Wednesday barred Director of National Intelligence nominee Jay Clayton from showing up to his confirmation hearing just hours before an eager Senate was to fast-track his nomination.Trump made the surprise demand over Truth Social in his latest dustup with Senate Republicans, insisting instead they first confirm Clayton’s successor as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.In a rare flex, Republicans initially sought to forge ahead with the hearing in a rush to get Clayton in place to succeed outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard — and avoid installing federal housing chief Bill Pulte into the role on an interim basis.

But once it was clear the president wouldn’t let Clayton attend, the hearing was called off.It appears Pulte will be in place by the end of this week to lead the US intelligence agencies temporarily.“It’s regrettable that the president has directed Jay Clayton not to appear at his confirmation hearing today,” said Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).“Mr.

Clayton is a patriot and a highly qualified nominee, as the president has said repeatedly.While today’s hearing is now unfortunately postponed, I look forward to proceeding with his confirmation in the near future.”Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters earlier Wednesday that Cotton was “planning to proceed” despite an earlier threat from Trump, who in a Truth Social post called for the hearing to be nixed.Cotton had noted that “unless the president directs him not to appear or withdraws his nomination,” the hearing would commence.The president had before drawn a red line that only when Sullivan and Cromwell partner Jamie McDonald was “approved” as Clayton’s replacement in the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office could the DNI nom be considered.The president also said he would not “approve” of a bill reauthorizing one of the government’s premier foreign spying powers until the GOP’s voter I...