Trump Nominates Former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton for SDNY, Awaiting Senate Confirmation

Nov 14, 2024, 10:14 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Jay Clayton, his former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman, to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). The SDNY office is known for its role in prosecuting financial crimes, including cases involving cryptocurrency. This nomination comes after a previous attempt to appoint Clayton to the same position in 2020, which was met with controversy when former U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman was forced out in a move described as a 'hostile takeover' by Bill Barr. The position requires Senate confirmation, and Clayton, described as business-friendly, will lead the office often referred to as the sheriff of Wall Street.