Trump Appoints Former SEC Chair Jay Clayton as White House AI Czar, Elevating National Security Focus

President Trump is expected to name Jay Clayton, the current Director of National Intelligence, as White House AI czar, tasking the former SEC chair with overseeing the federal government's artificial intelligence strategy and regulatory approach. Clayton, who was sworn in as director of national intelligence in August 2026 and previously led the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term, would add AI policy oversight to his existing national security portfolio.