Jon Ossoff

Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff is back in Washington, D.C. this week after tackling multiple campaign events in his home state this summer.

The U.S. Senate returned on Monday, and one of the first items on the agenda is choosing a new director of national intelligence following the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard that took effect at the end of June.

President Trump nominated Jay Clayton, an U.S. Attorney and former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the middle of June, a pick many considered surprising given Clayton's lack of experience in the national intelligence space.

Clayton sat before the Senate National Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, and Ossoff quickly garnered attention for his grilling of the nominee.

Here's how the interaction took place.

'Isn't is humiliating?' Ossoff asks Clayton

Ossoff started off his line of questioning by asking Clayton to agree that he "has an obligation to be honest and forthright" with the committee. Clayton put his hands up before stating "yes."

The senator then asked if President Trump had pardoned a man known to work with a drug cartel that trafficked illegal substances into the United States.

Clayton agreed the man was a "convicted narco trafficker," and when pushed to answer whether Trump had pardoned him, Clayton answered "yes."

"Who won the 2020 election," Ossoff continued, to which Clayton said "I'm not going to do this with you."

"This is a job interview," Ossoff said. He pushed further, reminding Clayton of his "obligation" of honesty, and continued to ask about the 2020 election. Clayton continued to say he would not "do this" with the senator, and that he has already answered the question. Ossoff called it a "simple" question, and said by not answering, Clayton was not going to be able to get support from senators for his nomination.

"You refuse to answer a basic question about who won a presidential election, but you ask to lead America's intelligence community? Isn't it humiliating to be unable to answer this question, to have to indulge the president's delusions? We know, you know, everybody in this room knows the truthful answer to that question. Why can you not give it?" Ossoff said.

Clayton again refused to give an answer.

Ossoff then changed directions and questioned Clayton about Tulsi Gabbard's presence at the federal raid of a Fulton County election hub at the beginning of the year. It was unclear at the time, and continues to be questioned, why the national intelligence director was present at the raid.

Clayton said he was made aware of Gabbard's presence during a meeting with Ossoff a day prior to the hearing, and that Ossoff brought it to his attention. Ossoff appeared surprised by that answer, and the interaction then quickly turned confrontational as Ossoff asked "What is going on here?"

"It was the first time that in my recollection I've thought about it recently," Clayton clarified. "Now, was I aware of it before? I mean, you brought it to my attention yesterday. I had not thought about it."

Ossoff then pointed out Gabbard had previously testified that the president requested her presence at the raid, and that the Senate National Intelligence Committee was already probing her involvement. He also noted that general counsel from Clayton's office already testified to the committee about Gabbard.

Clayton said he was unaware of these developments.

Clayton did eventually state Joe Biden was "elected fairly and duly under our process" when questioning continued from the committee's vice chairman Mark Warner (D-IN).

Where can I watch Ossoff questioning Clayton?

The senator and Clayton's exchange can be seen in full on YouTube.

Will Trump's speech center around the 2020 election?

Ossoff's line of questioning in the hearing came after Trump announced he would address the nation in a speech Thursday night at 9 p.m. E.T.

Speculation has swirled as to what the speech could include, and when Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked to preview some of the contents she told everyone to "tune in" but did not elaborate. Leavitt will be returning to the press podium at 1 p.m. Thursday for her first appearance back from maternity leave.

Both Ossoff and Warnock have attempted to get ahead of Trump's remarks with comments of their own, saying the president has an "obsession" with the Georgia elections and any attempt now to question their legitimacy is not about the results of 2020, but setting the stage to interfere in the 2026 midterms.

The speech will be streamed on YouTube.

Irene Wright covers Georgia politics and elections as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].