Trump Appoints Jay Clayton As Interim U.S. Attorney For Manhattan

President Donald Trump has appointed Jay Clayton to be the interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, according to a social media post on Wednesday.

Clayton previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2020 during Trump’s first term in office, and most recently worked as a lawyer at the firm Sullivan & Cromwell.

The president announced the appointment after Senator Chuck Schumer said he would block Clayton’s nomination to the position.

“During my first term, Jay served with great distinction as the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and earned the respect of everyone,” Trump said in a post.

“The Southern District needs strong leadership NOW, and I thank Jay taking on this role while we continue to pursue his Senate confirmation.”

Schumer said he would block the appointment of Clayton and Trump’s pick, to lead the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella Jr. by using a Senate provision that allows senators to block the nominations of U.S. attorneys in their state.

Matthew Podolsky has led the office as the acting U.S. attorney, after then interim attorney Danielle R. Sassoon resigned over the Justice Department pushing to dismiss Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case.