Who Is Jay Clayton? Trump’s New AI Czar Gets 120 Days to Shape U.S. Policy

• Jay Clayton will lead Trump’s new AI task force and shape U.S. policy within 120 days.
• The task force will study AI risks, security threats, privacy, and whether new laws are needed.
• Clayton’s past as SEC chair, including the Ripple case, adds a crypto angle to his new role.

President Donald Trump has chosen Jay Clayton, the current Director of National Intelligence, to lead a new White House team focused on artificial intelligence.

Clayton will head the new Super Intelligence Force, which has 120 days to study the risks and benefits of AI and recommend how the U.S. government should manage the technology.

Who Is Jay Clayton?

Jay Clayton is a lawyer and former government official. He served as chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during Trump’s first administration, from May 2017 to December 2020.

Before joining the SEC, Clayton worked for more than 20 years at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, where he advised companies on investments, mergers, corporate rules, and other legal issues. He also worked on cybersecurity and regulatory matters.

Later, Clayton returned to government as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. In August 2026, he became Director of National Intelligence, overseeing the U.S. intelligence community.

He will now also help lead the Trump administration’s strategy on artificial intelligence.

What Must Clayton Do in 120 Days?

Clayton’s main job is to decide how the U.S. government should respond to AI risks without slowing down AI development.

The Super Intelligence Force will study threats such as national security risks and cyberattacks. It will also look at how the government handles reports of AI-related hacks, security breaches, and other incidents.

The group will also focus on protecting consumers. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, one of the task force’s vice chairs, will oversee issues involving children, privacy, free speech, and other public concerns.

Another key question is whether current U.S. laws are strong enough to deal with rapidly developing AI. Clayton’s team will review existing laws and consider what new actions Congress may need to take.

At the same time, the administration does not want strict AI regulation. The task force will address AI risks without creating rules that could slow innovation or competition.

This means Clayton has to balance two goals: keeping the U.S. ahead in AI while making sure the technology is safe and protects Americans.

Clayton’s Crypto History

Meanwhile, Clayton’s appointment is especially interesting to the crypto industry because of his past with digital assets.

As SEC chairman, Clayton led the agency during a major crackdown on crypto companies. In December 2020, the SEC sued Ripple, claiming that XRP was sold as an unregistered security. The case became one of the biggest legal battles in crypto.

Because of this, Clayton remains a controversial figure among XRP supporters. Some still blame him for the SEC’s actions against Ripple. Others point to his later work in the crypto industry as a sign that his views may have changed.

Crypto commentator Pete Rizzo has highlighted Clayton’s more positive views on Bitcoin and his work with companies trying to bring crypto into the mainstream.

Meanwhile, XRP supporters have taken a different view. On X, accounts such as BankXRP and Diana have noted the irony of the former SEC chairman now having an important role in shaping the Trump administration’s technology policy.

Clayton’s appointment puts a key regulatory voice at the center of U.S. AI policy, with the challenge of balancing innovation and oversight. His past stance on crypto also raises questions about how future tech and digital asset regulation could evolve.

Related: Trump’s Expected AI Czar Pick Jay Clayton Revives SEC Crypto Record