Jay Clayton, Former SEC Chair Who Sued Ripple, to Lead Trump’s AI Push

President Donald Trump has appointed former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Jay Clayton to lead a new federal artificial intelligence policy initiative, a role that follows his tenure overseeing major crypto enforcement actions.

Clayton will helm a newly created “Super Intelligence Force” as part of his current role as Director of National Intelligence, tasked with coordinating AI policy across the federal government. The announcement was made on October 4, 2026.

During his tenure as SEC chair from 2017 to 2020, Clayton oversaw the agency’s high-profile lawsuit against Ripple Labs, alleging the firm conducted an unregistered securities offering through its XRP token sales. The case became a landmark in crypto regulation.

The move places a former top financial regulator with direct experience in cryptocurrency enforcement into a key position shaping national AI strategy, though the new role’s mandate is focused solely on artificial intelligence policy.