FISA Surveillance Law May Expire After Trump Picks Bill Pulte for Intel Post
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The warrantless surveillance law known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is set to expire this Friday unless Congress acts to renew it, threatening a critical national security tool.
- Section 702 is credited with helping prevent terror attacks, combat foreign hackers, disrupt drug trafficking, and provide intelligence on global rivals like China and Russia.
- A bipartisan coalition was close to an agreement to extend the law, but President Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte, an unqualified ally, as acting director of national intelligence has stalled negotiations.
- Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed concerns about Pulte's lack of experience, leading to a bipartisan blockade of the renewal in the Senate unless Trump withdraws his nomination.
- Congressional leaders face difficulty securing enough votes due to longstanding privacy concerns and the recent political turmoil surrounding the intelligence post appointment.