Watch CNBC’s full interview with U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton

Summary

Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former SEC chair, discusses the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the federal drug trafficking and weapons charges against him, and the legal precedents for U.S. prosecution. Much of the interview focuses on constitutional authority, Venezuela policy, and New York public-safety enforcement. The only market reference is a brief mention of Chevron's Venezuela operations, and no clear investment recommendation is made.

• Jay Clayton confirms SDNY's long-running case against Nicolas Maduro and related superseding indictment.
• Clayton defends the constitutionality of U.S. action and cites precedents including Noriega, Libya, and Pan Am 103.
• He emphasizes presumption of innocence and says the prosecution is based on facts in the indictment.
• Discussion covers Mexico and fentanyl trafficking, with Clayton saying cartels operate as sophisticated global businesses.
• Clayton describes New York public-safety priorities: gun crime, drug trafficking, and sex trafficking.
• He expects continued constructive work with the NYPD despite political change at City Hall.
• He raises concerns about lack of audit trails and accountability in state and local government.
• Chevron is briefly mentioned as the only major U.S. company with large Venezuela operations, but no investment thesis is offered.