Trump said he is delaying Jay Clayton’s intelligence chief nomination and keeping Bill Pulte as acting director while pressing Congress to pass a voter ID bill. The move comes amid a fight over renewing Section 702 of FISA, a lapsed surveillance authority.
Posts tagged as “the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act”
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.
Congress returns to Washington facing critical votes on the Iran war, a prolonged DHS shutdown, and potential expulsions of members amid misconduct allegations. Lawmakers grapple with funding disputes, war powers limits, and ethics investigations as tensions rise.