Trump seeks FISA extension as Pulte DNI pick faces backlash
What's next: Section 702 expires June 12 unless Congress acts, with Democrats threatening to withhold support over the appointment.
President Donald Trump urged Congress on Wednesday to pass a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act as his decision to install Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence drew bipartisan resistance. Trump said Pulte, now the Federal Housing Finance Agency director, would take over June 19 while the White House searches for a permanent nominee. The standoff has raised the chance that the surveillance authority will lapse at the end of the week. Section 702 lets the government collect communications of people outside the United States, including contacts involving Americans. Critics warn it can sweep up U.S. citizens, while supporters call it a key security tool as the U.S. conflict in Iran continues and the FIFA World Cup opens this week.