Nov 14, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Trump nominates Jay Clayton to head powerful prosecutorial office

Dan Primack

Jay Clayton during "Mornings With Maria" at Fox Business Network Studios on February 24, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage) — Jay Clayton on Feb. 24, 2020, in New York City. Photo: John Lamparski/WireImage via Getty Images

President-elect Trump on Thursday said he will nominate Jay Clayton to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

The big picture: It's one of the country's most powerful prosecutorial offices and is often responsible for policing financial fraud.

Catch up quick: Clayton led the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first term and was considered to be a candidate for Treasury secretary.

Trump sought to put Clayton in the Southern District of New York role in 2020, but the move ran into opposition.
After Trump's term ended, Clayton returned to the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell and joined the board of private equity giant Apollo Global Management.
He does not have any prosecutorial experience.

What he's saying: "Jay is going to be a strong Fighter for the Truth as we, Make America Great Again," Trump said when making the announcement on Truth Social.

The intrigue: Clayton's SEC sued new Trump confidant Elon Musk for lying to Tesla investors.

Go deeper: Trump administration 2.0: Tracking his Cabinet, White House picks

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Trump nominates Jay Clayton to head powerful prosecutorial office

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