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Statement grade
The average of Signal, Reasoning and Clarity. Average 81 / 100
Signal
74 / 100
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Relevance
–
Not scored Viewing ↓
Reasoning
100 / 100
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Respect
–
Not scored Viewing ↓
Clarity
69 / 100
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A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.
Claims 69% Promise 4% Positioning 17% Procedure 6% The ask 4%
Structure · 9 steps
Claims · 7
This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.
Mr. President, Claims · 130 words I speak today in support of Mr. Jay Clayton’s nomination to be the next Director of National Intelligence. Earlier this month, Mr. Clayton appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee, 1 where he answered hundreds of written questions for the record and provided detailed testimony on his approach to serving in this new role.2 As part of these discussions, Mr. Clayton assured the committee that he would assist our efforts to return the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to its original size, scope, 3 Vague promise and mission. He also pledged to work with the committee to secure the essential funding the intelligence community needs.4 Vague promise Based on the shortcomings that my committee staff identified, I project that any supplemental appropriations bill or reconciliation bill must include around $40 billion for our intelligence Agencies. Promise · 13 words I look forward to working with Mr. Clayton to meet this vital need. Positioning · 18 words Given his past professional experience, Mr. Clayton is well qualified to serve as the Director of National Intelligence. Positioning Claims · 83 words As the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Mr. Clayton went after some of the worst of the worst national security threats. He has overseen numerous high-profile cases, including the indictment of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and the prosecution of an Iran-backed terrorist connected to multiple attempted terror attacks in the United States.5 6 7 Time and again, Mr. Clayton has worked hand in glove with our intelligence Agencies and counterterrorism personnel to put these savages behind bars and keep America safe. Positioning · 33 words Based on Mr. Clayton’s testimony and the many conversations I have had with him over the last few months, I can say with confidence that his reputation for leading with integrity precedes him. Positioning Unearned certainty Procedure · 7 words I am pleased to support his nomination, Procedure The ask · 12 words and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of his confirmation. Procedure · 11 words I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. Procedure
At a glance
Lost points for Procedure ×3 Vague promise ×2 Positioning ×2 Unearned certainty Reasons given This statement drew 3 conclusions and gave a reason for each one.
Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.
What the tags mean →
Signal · 74
5 of 8 deductions are Signal
Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “Given his past professional experience, Mr. Clayton is well qualified to serve as the Director of National Intelligence.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Positioning Praise, blame or attack with no claim, reason or ask in it. What the tags mean → “Based on Mr. Clayton’s testimony and the many conversations I have had with him over the last few months, I can say with confidence that his reputation for leading with integrity precedes him.” Positioning: praise, blame or attack. No claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “I am pleased to support his nomination,” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “I yield the floor.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Procedure Throat-clearing: announcing what you are about to say, or the House’s routine business. What the tags mean → “I suggest the absence of a quorum.” Procedure or throat-clearing: no claim, reason or ask.
Relevance · no score
Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.
Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.
Reasoning · 100
0 of 8 deductions are Reasoning
Reasoning checks for sound logic and solid support for any conclusion. A low score means the speaker made unsupported leaps or used weak arguments.
Nothing lost points.
Conclusions found · 3
Conclusion “Given his past professional experience, Mr. Clayton is well qualified to serve as the Director of National Intelligence.”
Because “where he answered hundreds of written questions for the record and provided detailed testimony on his approach to serving in this new role.”
“As the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Mr. Clayton went after some of the worst of the worst national security threats.”
“He has overseen numerous high-profile cases, including the indictment of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and the prosecution of an Iran-backed terrorist connected to multiple attempted terror attacks in the United States.”
“Based on Mr. Clayton’s testimony and the many conversations I have had with him over the last few months, I can say with confidence that his reputation for leading with integrity precedes him.”
Conclusion “I am pleased to support his nomination,”
Because “Given his past professional experience, Mr. Clayton is well qualified to serve as the Director of National Intelligence.”
“As the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Mr. Clayton went after some of the worst of the worst national security threats.”
“He has overseen numerous high-profile cases, including the indictment of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and the prosecution of an Iran-backed terrorist connected to multiple attempted terror attacks in the United States.”
“Based on Mr. Clayton’s testimony and the many conversations I have had with him over the last few months, I can say with confidence that his reputation for leading with integrity precedes him.”
Conclusion “and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of his confirmation.”
Because “Given his past professional experience, Mr. Clayton is well qualified to serve as the Director of National Intelligence.”
“Based on Mr. Clayton’s testimony and the many conversations I have had with him over the last few months, I can say with confidence that his reputation for leading with integrity precedes him.”
“I am pleased to support his nomination,”
Respect · no score
Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.
Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.
Clarity · 69
3 of 8 deductions are Clarity
Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.
Vague promise A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible. What the tags mean → “assured the committee that he would assist our efforts” No date, measure, or success condition attached to the promised assistance.
Vague promise A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible. What the tags mean → “pledged to work with the committee” A commitment to ‘work with’ has no actor’s specific action, date, or standard of success.
Unearned certainty Something stated as certain with nothing to back it. What the tags mean → “I can say with confidence” Confidence is asserted in place of any cited source for the integrity claim.
Claims · 7
This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.
1 “Earlier this month, Mr. Clayton appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee” Jay Clayton appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee earlier in July 2026 in connection with his nomination. search 2 “answered hundreds of written questions for the record” Jay Clayton answered hundreds of written questions for the record as part of his confirmation process before the Senate Intelligence Committee. search 3 “Mr. Clayton assured the committee that he would assist our efforts to return the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to its original size, scope” During his confirmation hearings, Jay Clayton told the Senate Intelligence Committee he would assist efforts to return the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to its original size, scope, and mission. search 4 “pledged to work with the committee to secure the essential funding the intelligence community needs” Jay Clayton pledged to work with the Senate Intelligence Committee to secure funding the intelligence community needs. search 5 “the indictment of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro” Jay Clayton was involved in the indictment of Nicolas Maduro while serving as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. search 6 “the prosecution of an Iran-backed terrorist connected to multiple attempted terror attacks in the United States” Jay Clayton’s office prosecuted an Iran-backed terrorist linked to multiple attempted terror attacks in the United States. search 7 “He has overseen numerous high-profile cases, including the indictment of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and the prosecution of an Iran-backed terrorist connected to multiple attempted terror attacks in the United States.” Jay Clayton served as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. search
