Senate Intel Vice Chair Warner on Confirmation of Jay Clayton to be DNI

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement: “The Director of National Intelligence has one of the most important jobs in government: providing the president and policymakers with objective, independent intelligence and coordinating the work of the 18 agencies that make up the Intelligence Community. As our country faces down growing threats from around the world, the country needs a DNI whose first loyalty is to the facts. “Having known and worked with Jay for years, I was encouraged when he was first nominated for the position of DNI. Unfortunately, I came away from his confirmation process with serious reservations about whether he would be willing to stand up to political pressure when it matters most. Now that he has been confirmed, I sincerely hope he proves those concerns unfounded, because the Intelligence Community deserves steadier leadership than it has received in recent months. “The Intelligence Community is at its most effective when leaders allow intelligence professionals to follow the facts wherever they lead and provide policymakers with objective, independent analysis free from political influence. Mr. Clayton now has an opportunity – and the responsibility – to demonstrate that intelligence will never be shaped to fit a political narrative, that analysts will be free to deliver their best independent judgments, and that the extraordinary authorities entrusted to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will never be used to manufacture doubt about the integrity of our elections or justify interference in their administration. “As Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I look forward to working with Mr. Clayton as our national security demands it, and I will continue vigorous oversight to ensure the Intelligence Community remains focused on one mission above all else: keeping the American people safe from harm.” ###