Trump Doubles Down on Pulte as FISA Renewal Falters
Trump keeps Bill Pulte as acting DNI amid bipartisan opposition while Section 702 is set to expire on June 12 and House plans a short extension to July 2.
CNBCTrump doubles down on Pulte for DNI, as Congress eyes short-term patch for foreign surveillance law
ABC NewsTrump sticks with Pulte for intel job as risk grows of lapse in spy powers
WiredTrump Risks Key Surveillance Authority Over ‘Unqualified’ Spy-Chief Pick
The InterceptMomentum Builds to Rein In Domestic Spying Law — Whether or Not Bill Pulte Survives as Intel Chief
Overview
President Donald Trump said he will keep Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence and asked Congress for a short-term extension of Section 702.
Section 702 lets agencies collect overseas communications without a warrant and is set to expire on June 12.
Senate Intelligence Committee top Democrat Mark Warner called Pulte "a live hand grenade" and said he would only back a short-term extension if Aaron Lukas served as acting DNI.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House would vote on Thursday to extend Section 702 to July 2, and seven Republicans earlier joined nearly all Democrats in blocking a long-term extension.
Trump said he is interviewing five candidates for a permanent DNI, but Democrats have vowed to block any FISA extension while Pulte remains the acting pick.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story critically by foregrounding concerns about Pulte's qualifications and the risk of an intelligence lapse. Editorial choices — leading with the expiring FISA deadline, emphasizing Pulte's limited experience and alleged referrals, and highlighting Democratic objections while noting bipartisan worry — create urgency and skepticism.