Clayton Curveball

Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for June 11, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

Donald Trump said he’s nominating Jay Clayton, a former Securities and Exchange Commission head, for director of national intelligence — hours after the House voted down a short-term extension for a key spy program over Bill Pulte’s nomination. A similar Senate attempt also failed today, and Section 702 of the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act is expected to lapse tomorrow.

Lawmakers say they’re confused about why Trump waited until after the FISA vote — and the House’s adjournment — to recommend Clayton, particularly after GOP leadership urged him to pick a new candidate in several private meetings this week.

• Trump asked for a swift confirmation, but the Senate can’t process Clayton’s nomination before Pulte starts on June 19. John Thune said he did not get notice before the president’s announcement.

• Chuck Schumer and other Democrats say Pulte should not serve any time as acting DNI. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia) suggested Tulsi Gabbard could stay in the position until a new person is confirmed.

Congress’ next frontier: Reconciliation 3.0. Trump called for a new budget bill that would include $350 billion in military funding. But it’s an uphill battle, as Republicans are already splintered over several Trump priority requests this month.

• Thune said he’s “open to using reconciliation” as a vehicle for the SAVE America Act if it could get 50 votes in the Senate and 218 in the House — a long shot given it’s been languishing in the upper chamber for months.

• Adding the SAVE America Act to a budget bill would also likely run into problems with the Senate parliamentarian.

THE ADMINISTRATION

“Iran will never have a nuclear weapon” as part of an imminent peace deal, Trump said today, adding that the documents are in “pretty final shape.” The president today backed off plans for additional strikes after threatening to “assume total control” of Iran’soil and gas industries this morning.

The Pentagon went on lockdown this morning after systems detected an “air quality issue.”

A federal judge said he will not hold a hearing for a temporary restraining order aiming to block the UFC fight on the South Lawn. More than 100 reporters and MAGA influencers got to preview the Octagon today, including NOTUS’ Jasmine Wright.

• Wright overheard one influencer saying that they should have the possible GOP 2028 contenders face off there: “Bobby with no shirt, no shoes, let’s go.”

THE HILL

The Senate Armed Services Committee is moving forward with a sweeping defense policy bill that would boost Ukraine aid and impose restrictions on a president’s ability to reduce U.S. troops in Europe.

• The panel also voted to approve changing the Pentagon’s name to the Department of War.

Influencers are embracing a push to add disclaimers on paid political content that they post.

SEER LATER SUCKER

Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Kelly Poe and Erik Schutz. If you liked it, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please sign up — it’s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at finalnotus@notus.com.