WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Mark Warner stated he will vote against Jay Clayton's nomination for director of national intelligence. Donald Trump nominated Clayton to serve as director of national intelligence.

"I've known Jay for a long time. I like Jay. I worked well with him when he was at the SEC. But I was bitterly disappointed by his performance in front of my committee," Warner said.

"So I will be voting against Jay Clayton," he said. He is the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Clayton appeared before the Intelligence Committee for a confirmation hearing last week. The nomination is intended to replace Tulsi Gabbard. During the hearing, Democrats repeatedly asked Clayton about the results of the 2020 election.

Clayton evaded questions about who won the 2020 election. Clayton acknowledged that Joe Biden was certified as president. Clayton stated he is "not an election denier."

Clayton was asked about Gabbard's presence at an FBI search of an elections hub in Fulton County, Georgia. He described Clayton's response regarding Gabbard's presence at the FBI search as acting like he did not understand what Gabbard had done. Clayton previously served as the leader of the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York.

Republicans hold a majority on the Intelligence Committee. He stated that Clayton is expected to be confirmed if he advances out of committee. "I know Jay Clayton will probably get confirmed. I hope we see the Jay Clayton that I have known and have worked with," he said.

Bill Pulte currently serves as the acting director of national intelligence. "The one thing I also know is, the absolute disaster we have right now with the acting DNI, Bill Pulte, who has no intelligence experience, who has nothing but loyalty to Trump." Pulte issued several criminal referrals to the Justice Department alleging mortgage fraud by a number of Donald Trump's political foes.

He previously stated he hoped Clayton would be confirmed as quickly as possible. He made his previous comments supporting Clayton's confirmation during an appearance on "Face the Nation" last month.

The confirmation process unfolds with Republicans holding majorities in both the Intelligence Committee and the full Senate. These majorities position Clayton to advance out of committee and secure confirmation despite opposition from the top Democrat on the panel. The outcome will determine who replaces Gabbard in the role.

His reversal follows his prior public support for the nominee. He previously expressed hope that Clayton would be confirmed as quickly as possible during an appearance on "Face the Nation" last month. The shift in stance centers on Clayton's testimony regarding election results and the actions of the current acting director.