According to Cointelegraph, United States President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Jay Clayton, the former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Trump made the announcement on November 14 through the social media platform Truth Social, where he praised Clayton as a "highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant." Trump expressed confidence in Clayton's abilities, stating that he will be a "strong Fighter for the Truth" as part of the effort to "Make America Great Again."
Clayton's tenure as SEC Chair spanned from May 4, 2017, to December 23, 2020, following his nomination by Trump during his first presidency. His appointment as US Attorney will see him replace Damian Williams, who has been instrumental in prosecuting numerous cases against crypto criminals involved in wire fraud and money laundering. Clayton's legal and regulatory experience is expected to play a significant role in his new position, especially given the increasing scrutiny on financial crimes in the cryptocurrency sector.
Trump is set to be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. The appointment of Clayton is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the legal framework against financial misconduct. As this is a developing story, further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.