Trump DNI pick threatens Fisa extension in Congress

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Ashutosh Sureka

22 hours ago

Trump DNI pick threatens Fisa extension in Congress — Trump pick stalls FISA

Congressional resistance to Donald Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence is growing as lawmakers race to renew expiring surveillance powers. The backlash is complicating efforts to extend section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires next week and remains a core counterterrorism tool for the U.S. government.

Highlights

Trump's appointment of housing finance regulator Pulte as acting DNI faces bipartisan criticism for lack of intelligence experience, jeopardizing section 702 renewal.
Senate leaders Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer warn Pulte's nomination undermines national security trust and makes extending surveillance authority unlikely ahead of expiration.
Political divisions deepen as supporters argue section 702 is vital for counterterrorism, while opponents cite civil liberties risks and some Trump allies seek to block reauthorization.

Capitol Hill backlash hits surveillance timetable

As reported by Financial Times, Republican and Democratic lawmakers say Trump's decision to install Pulte, a housing finance regulator with no known intelligence background, is undermining support for legislation needed to continue the government's foreign surveillance authority.

Thom Tillis, a Republican senator from North Carolina, criticises Pulte in a CNBC interview as having no intelligence, geopolitical or international experience and says he does not have a realistic chance of winning permanent confirmation. Tillis argues the appointment puts the renewal of section 702 at risk because the acting DNI would be among the senior officials using that authority.

Mitch McConnell later adds to the criticism, saying anyone serving in a role of such public trust must have the national security experience required by statute and warning that a nominee who falls short will not win his support. Chuck Schumer, the Senate's top Democrat, also says the timing makes agreement on an extension much harder just over a week before the provision expires.

Political split widens over intelligence powers

Section 702 allows the U.S. government to collect foreigners' communications when they are outside the U.S. without a warrant. Supporters view it as essential for counterterrorism, while opponents in both parties argue it threatens civil liberties, making the legislation politically fragile even before the latest dispute.

Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, accuses Democrats of politicising the issue and says they are refusing to carry out a basic responsibility to keep the country safe. At the same time, some Trump allies welcome the possibility that Pulte's appointment could derail the bill altogether, with Jack Posobiec urging the president on Stephen Bannon's podcast to abandon the renewal effort.

The dispute also revives earlier friction around Pulte inside the administration. During a hearing with Treasury secretary Scott Bessent, Tillis raises last year's clash between Bessent and Pulte, and Bessent replies that while he had previously threatened to "kick his ass", he spoke with Pulte on Tuesday, wished him luck and compared the conflict to teammates arguing before going out to win.

Our earlier article on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Secure America Act proposal examined a plan to fully fund CBP and ICE through fiscal 2029, alongside added DHS enforcement resources. We noted the measure was framed as a way to prevent future appropriations disruptions and give border and immigration enforcement agencies a longer planning horizon for staffing and procurement. The piece also highlighted how the proposal sits within broader Capitol Hill battles over homeland security priorities and federal law-enforcement policy.

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