Rep. Jason Crow says he's worried "Americans are at risk" with Bill Pulte as acting DNI
Key Points:
- Democratic Rep. Jason Crow expressed concerns over Bill Pulte's appointment as acting director of national intelligence, citing Pulte's lack of national security experience and potential risks to American safety.
- Pulte's selection has faced bipartisan criticism, leading Democrats to oppose the extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expired earlier this month amid debates over privacy and constitutional rights.
- Crow criticized Pulte as a political loyalist to President Trump rather than a qualified intelligence professional, emphasizing the importance of protecting Americans' civil liberties over temporarily extending surveillance programs.
- GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham supported confirming Jay Clayton as the permanent DNI to resolve the impasse and urged President Trump to allow Clayton's confirmation hearing to proceed, warning that shutting down FISA threatens national security.
- Graham highlighted bipartisan concerns about the consequences of failing to reauthorize FISA, stressing that both political parties risk "playing with fire" by allowing the surveillance program to lapse.