US President-elect Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Jay Clayton, former chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as the new District Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Clayton will replace Damian Williams, who had prosecuted a high-profile case against Vikash Yadav, a former officer of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), involved in an alleged plot to hire a hitman to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
“Jay is going to be a strong Fighter for the Truth as we, Make America Great Again,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. If confirmed by the Senate, Clayton will replace Damian Williams, who by tradition will submit his resignation when there is a change of President on January 21, or will be fired.
Clayton’s nomination is being closely watched, as his expertise in Wall Street and financial regulation could prove valuable for overseeing high-profile cases in the Southern District, which handles major investigations into financial fraud and market manipulation. Trump praised Clayton for his distinguished career in both business and public service, noting his significant contribution during his tenure at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from 2017 to 2021.
In the charges filed by Williams, Yadav has been described as a “senior field officer” of RAW. Yadav is reportedly in custody in India on charges of extortion and kidnapping. He is currently on the “wanted” list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Yadav, Gupta, and the unnamed official have been accused of trying to hire a professional criminal to kill Pannun, who turned out to be a government agent.
Reportedly, the Government of India has been closely monitoring the development, as the government has denied any association with or involvement in such a plot. The other accused in the case are Indian national Nikhil Gupta and an unnamed intelligence officer. Gupta, who is a businessman, was charged as a co-conspirator in the matter and was arrested in the Czech Republic. Later, he was extradited to the US in June 2024. Gupta has denied any involvement in the so-called assassination plot and the next hearing is set for January 19.
