Trump Stands by Pulte Intel Pick as FISA Renewal Deadline Looms
8 verified2 unconfirmed2 contested
President Trump has reaffirmed his decision to appoint Bill Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence, set to begin June 19. The appointment has sparked a political standoff over the renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires Friday. Democrats say they will not support extending the surveillance authority as long as Pulte remains in the intelligence role, citing his lack of national security experience and his record of targeting Trump political adversaries with mortgage fraud inquiries. Some Republicans have also expressed qualms, with several senators questioning Pulte’s qualifications and warning that the partisan dispute could cause the spy power to lapse. House Speaker Mike Johnson met with Trump at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the issue, but he declined to disclose details of their conversation. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he is encouraging the White House to name a permanent director of national intelligence to break the impasse. The Section 702 program allows warrantless surveillance of noncitizens abroad, with critics concerned about potential privacy intrusions on Americans.
What’s verified
Trump announced Bill Pulte will serve as acting director of national intelligence starting June 19, while remaining head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Pulte lacks a national security background and has pushed criminal investigations for mortgage fraud targeting Trump’s political opponents.
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which authorizes warrantless surveillance of noncitizens abroad, expires on Friday, June 12.
Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, say they will not vote to renew Section 702 while Pulte is acting DNI.
Last week, seven Republican senators joined almost all Democrats in voting against a Section 702 extension in the Senate.
The House passed a three-year Section 702 extension in April with support from 42 Democrats, but the bill stalled in the Senate over an unrelated measure on central bank digital currency.
Republican chairs of the Senate Intelligence and Judiciary committees wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting identification of intelligence targets that could be lost if the authority lapses.
Several Republican senators, including John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy, have expressed disapproval of Pulte’s appointment to the intelligence role.
Where accounts differ
One source reports that Trump indicated during a meeting with Johnson that he would not nominate a replacement for Pulte. Other sources state that Trump has not ruled out appointing a permanent director of national intelligence, and that GOP leaders are encouraging him to do so.
Some Republican lawmakers, such as Rep. Keith Self, argue that a temporary lapse of Section 702 would not harm national security, while others, including Senate Majority Leader Thune and Secretary Rubio, warn that allowing the authority to expire would have dire consequences.
Not yet confirmed
Whether House Speaker Johnson specifically pressed Trump to remove Pulte and what Trump’s exact response was during their Tuesday meeting.
Whether the White House will move to nominate a permanent DNI before Friday’s deadline in an attempt to secure Democratic votes.
Key figures
Bill Pulte, Acting Director of National Intelligence and FHFA Director
Tulsi Gabbard, outgoing Director of National Intelligence
President Donald Trump
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD)
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), ranking House Intelligence Committee member
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), chair of Senate Intelligence Committee
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), chair of Senate Judiciary Committee
Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), ranking Senate Intelligence Committee member
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
Rep. Keith Self (R-TX)
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)
Sources: CBS News, NBC News, newrepublic.com
