Jay Clayton says 'I'm not an election denier' when pressed about Biden's 2020 win
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) asked Jay Clayton during his confirmation hearing to be director of national intelligence whether he denies that Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 15, 2026
"I'm not an election denier," Clayton said. "Joe Biden was certified as the president of the United States."… pic.twitter.com/0NCdjMrieT
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton declared, "I'm not an election denier," and acknowledged Joe Biden's 2020 election victory during his Senate confirmation hearing for director of National Intelligence on Wednesday, July 15.
The exchange immediately stood out as President Donald Trump prepares to renew his challenges to the legitimacy of the 2020 election.
Clayton's testimony came under oath before the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he was pressed directly about Biden's win.
Mark Warner presses Clayton on 2020 election
The moment unfolded during questioning from Sen Mark Warner, D-Va, who framed the issue as a test of whether Clayton would "speak truth to power" if confirmed.
Warner told the nominee, "If you're confirmed, you're gonna make sure that you speak truth to power, and that means even if the truth is not the preferred narrative that somebody wants to hear. So let me just ask you what should be a simple question. Do you deny that Joe Biden won the 2020 election?"
Clayton responded cautiously before making his position clear.
"Senator, I'm not, I'm not an election denier. Joe, Joe Biden was certified as the president of the United States," he said.
Warner replied, "Election denial is something we cannot have, so I will take that as you do not deny that Joe Biden won the 2020 election."
Clayton answered again, saying, "Yeah, I'm not, I'm not."
Jay Clayton links election security to national security
After acknowledging Biden's certified victory, Clayton shifted to what he described as a broader concern about election systems.
"I think, let me just be clear. We have substantial work to do in improving our electoral processes. It's part of national security, and I feel strongly about that," he told the committee.
His testimony came as Trump intensifies his focus on the 2020 election.
The president is expected to deliver a Thursday address announcing newly declassified information concerning alleged foreign interference in the 2020 contest.
Trump reportedly plans to argue that the election victories of Georgia Democratic Sens Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock were illegitimate.
Jay Clayton nominated after leadership change
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump has told Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to DECLASSIFY anything he wants
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 1, 2026
🔥🔥🔥
"Bill Pulte is there, I said, 'you can declassify WHATEVER YOU WANT!'"
"I told him — you can do it as fast [as possible]!"
"I think Bill will… pic.twitter.com/3nwo4FX8Xi
Clayton, 60, previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is currently the attorney for the Southern District.
Trump nominated him to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in June after appointing Bill Pulte as acting director.
Pulte's appointment drew bipartisan criticism, with opponents arguing he lacked the qualifications for the role because he had no military or intelligence background.
Pulte had replaced Tulsi Gabbard before Trump selected Clayton as his nominee for the permanent position.
