Sen. Mark Warner, the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Sunday that he will not vote for Jay Clayton, currently the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to be confirmed as director of national intelligence, a key intelligence oversight role.
“I’ve known Jay for a long time. I like him, but after his performance before my committee, his inability to answer the question about who won the 2020 election … I am not going to vote for him,” Warner told ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl.
Warner’s statement comes after Clayton was grilled by Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee last week, some repeatedly asking him who won the 2020 presidential election. Clayton refused to say that former President Joe Biden was the winner, saying only that he was “certified” as the winner.
Still, Warner said he expected Clayton to be confirmed.
“I think Jay Clayton will get confirmed,” Warner said. “And God willing, I hope the guy that becomes DNI is the guy that I’ve known and liked and worked with.”
Clayton can be confirmed without the support of Democrats as Republicans control the Senate.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.