Trump nominates former SEC chairman Jay Clayton as US attorney for Southern District of NY

Clayton, a Republican, was confirmed as SEC chairman in 2017 and served until December 2020

President Donald Trump has nominated former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman Jay Clayton to be the next US attorney for the Southern District of New York, the White House announced on Friday.

Clayton, a Republican, was confirmed as SEC chairman in 2017 and served until December 2020. He is a partner at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

The Southern District of New York is one of the most prestigious and powerful US attorney's offices in the country. It has jurisdiction over Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester County, and parts of Long Island.

Clayton's nomination must be confirmed by the Senate. If confirmed, he would replace Geoffrey Berman, who was fired by Trump in June 2020.

Clayton's nomination has been met with mixed reactions

Some have praised Clayton's experience and qualifications, while others have expressed concerns about his close ties to the Trump administration.

Clayton's nomination is likely to face scrutiny from Democrats in the Senate. Democrats have already expressed concerns about the Trump administration's politicization of the Justice Department.

It is unclear when the Senate will vote on Clayton's nomination.