Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte has removed 51 staffers from ODNI roles, with six fired and 45 returned to their home agencies, CBS reported. The cuts follow earlier downsizing under Tulsi Gabbard and have drawn warnings from lawmakers in both parties.
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Section 702, a major U.S. surveillance authority used to collect foreign intelligence, is set to lapse after Congress failed to pass an extension. Lawmakers disagree over whether existing court approvals will keep the program operating without interruption.
The House is set to vote on a short-term extension of Section 702, but Democratic opposition over Bill Pulte’s appointment as acting intelligence chief could doom the measure. Lawmakers remain divided over civil liberties, national security and what happens if the authority expires Friday.
Trump said Bill Pulte will become acting director of national intelligence on June 19 while remaining head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The decision has sparked bipartisan concern and threatened renewal of Section 702, a surveillance authority set to expire Friday.
A push to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act has stalled after President Trump named Bill Pulte acting director of national intelligence. Democrats and some Republicans say Pulte lacks the qualifications for the role and are pressing for a permanent nominee.
Trump said Bill Pulte will serve only temporarily as acting director of national intelligence after the appointment drew Republican criticism over his lack of intelligence experience. The president defended Pulte as smart and said the administration is interviewing other candidates.