Former U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new initiative named “Super Intelligence Force” aimed at coordinating federal government efforts in artificial intelligence. Announced through Trump’s social media platform, this initiative underscores a focus on maintaining the United States’ leadership in AI, with the prominent assignment of former National Intelligence Director, Jay Clayton, at its helm.
Jay Clayton to Lead New Coordination Structure
According to Trump’s announcement on Truth Social, the newly formed team will liaise with consumers, public interest groups, religious organizations, critical infrastructure providers, and AI companies to streamline federal interactions. It will report directly to Trump and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Joining Clayton are notable figures such as Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael, and Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. Trump emphasized the strategic use of the term “super intelligence” to describe AI’s potential.
Trump declared that the Super Intelligence Force would synchronize governmental efforts in AI, aiming to sustain the U.S. lead in this critical sector.
Jay Clayton is no stranger to those following the cryptocurrency markets. During Trump’s first term, Clayton served as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), establishing a reputation for an enforcement-centric stance on digital assets.
A Legacy of Robust SEC Oversight in Crypto
Under Clayton’s leadership, the SEC initiated 57 actions against crypto companies, ICOs, and other blockchain projects, setting a precedent for the agency’s regulatory framework in subsequent years. The most notable among these moves was a $1.3 billion lawsuit filed against Ripple in December 2020, accusing the company of conducting unregistered securities offerings with its XRP sales.
In December 2020, the SEC launched a $1.3 billion lawsuit against Ripple, claiming XRP sales took place without proper securities registration.
Following his departure from the SEC, Clayton’s career continued to resonate within the industry. In 2021, he joined One River Asset Management as a crypto advisor and served on the advisory board of Fireblocks, a company renowned for providing digital asset custody and transfer facilities to institutional investors.
Trump’s attempt in 2020 to appoint Clayton as U.S. Attorney for Manhattan did not materialize. However, in 2025, he was appointed as interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. During his tenure, his office pursued the case against Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm.
While Trump’s recent announcement did not delve into explicit operational details or timeframes for the Super Intelligence Force, it did highlight Clayton’s anticipated influence in shaping AI policy discourse in Washington.
