Who Is Jay Clayton? Trump Nominates Former SEC Chair As Manhattan's Federal Prosecutor

President-elect Donald Trump nominated Jay Clayton, former Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as the new US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, also known as Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor. Clayton, a lawyer at Sullivan & Cromwell, specializes in mergers and capital-raising and is considered politically independent. His nomination to this prominent position, known for handling high-profile financial crimes and corruption cases, was announced Thursday, according to Reuters.

Who Is Jay Clayton? Jay Clayton, born on July 11, 1966, in Newport News, Virginia, is a lawyer with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts in Economics from King's College, Cambridge, and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He began his legal career as a clerk in Pennsylvania before joining Sullivan & Cromwell in 1995, specializing in mergers and acquisitions and capital markets, where he became a partner in 2001. Appointed by President Trump, he served as the 32nd Chairman of the UD Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2020.Clayton, who is married to Gretchen Butler, a former Goldman Sachs employee, reportedly earned $7.6 million in 2016 and holds an estimated net worth of $50 million.While Clayton's background includes significant experience in securities and corporate law, he has no prior experience in criminal law, a factor that makes his appointment somewhat unconventional for the office. The SEC and the Southern District often collaborate on financial crime enforcement, an area where Clayton’s expertise could be beneficial.Also read: During the current administration, led by Democratic President Joe Biden, Damian Williams has headed the Southern District of New York. Williams, a seasoned prosecutor who previously led the district's securities and commodities task force, has successfully overseen several high-profile convictions. Nicknamed the "Sovereign District," the Manhattan US Attorney's office is known for its relatively high degree of independence from the Justice Department compared to other districts nationwide. This independence has allowed it to pursue cases against major financial and political figures, giving it a unique position within federal law enforcement.Also read: Compared to other Trump nominations, such as former US Representative Matt Gaetz for attorney general—a controversial choice due to past Justice Department investigations into Gaetz—Clayton’s nomination may face less opposition. Gaetz, who was investigated for alleged sex trafficking but not charged, has denied any wrongdoing.