President Donald Trump has put a hold on the Senate hearing for Jay Clayton's confirmation as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). This decision is pending Senate approval for Jamie McDonald, Trump's nominee for U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to declare the decision and stated that Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) director Bill Pulte would remain the acting director of national intelligence, despite facing bipartisan opposition.

“Regarding the approval of our Great Patriot, Jay Clayton, we are cancelling the Senate Hearing RE: DNI today, and will not be going forward until Jamie McDonald is approved to be U.S. Attorney,” wrote Trump.

Trump voiced concern over the “so fast” pace of Clayton's nomination, warning that Pulte could be replaced before Democrats vote on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which expired last week.

Democrats had said they would block FISA renewal unless Trump withdraws Pulte's appointment, while Trump accuses them of breaking a deal despite Republicans fulfilling their side of the agreement.

He also raised concerns that Democrats could use the Senate's blue slip tradition to block McDonald's nomination. The practice allows home-state senators to effectively veto a presidential nominee by refusing approval.

FISA Extension Hinges On SAVE Act

Trump's announcement comes days after nominating Jay Clayton as the next DNI and urging the U.S. Senate to confirm Clayton at the earliest. The White House officially transmitted Clayton's nomination to the Senate shortly after.

Meanwhile, Trump is also pushing to extend Section 702 of FISA only if it is paired with the SAVE America Act. The debate comes after Congress failed to renew the surveillance authority, allowing it to temporarily lapse amid political disputes over intelligence leadership and Democratic opposition. Section 702 allows the U.S. government to collect communications from foreign targets through tech companies without a warrant.

He reiterated the same in Wednesday's Truth Social post. “…To add a slight bit of intrigue but, for the Good of the Nation, and the People of our Country, I will not approve FISA without THE SAVE AMERICA ACT going along with it,” he wrote.