Afternoon Briefing — June 11, 2026

Trump Nominates Clayton. President Trump nominated former SEC Chair Jay Clayton as intelligence chief, with multiple reports confirming his selection for Director of National Intelligence. Clayton previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is also identified as a current US Attorney. This nomination follows a period of speculation regarding the leadership of national intelligence.

Iran Strikes Canceled. President Trump canceled planned strikes on Iran, stating that a deal is almost done. Reports indicate that mediators claim a deal is close, leading to the cancellation of strikes scheduled for Thursday evening. Global oil prices ended near an 8-week low following Trump's decision to back away from the threat of strikes.

FISA Powers Expire. Congress failed to act on FISA spy powers, making their expiration almost certain. Senate Democrats blocked short-term extensions of FISA 702 spy powers, and the House of Representatives left town without passing an extension. This legislative inaction means the surveillance authority is set to lapse.

White House Sports Diplomacy. Rubio inked a public-private partnership with UFC ahead of White House cage fights. Rubio and UFC's Dana White signed a sports diplomacy memo, with reports indicating a UFC 'Claw' was unveiled ahead of a cage match at the White House. This initiative involves a sports diplomacy agreement.