President Donald Trump called on lawmakers Wednesday to approve a short-term extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to allow the president time to nominate and confirm a new director of national intelligence.
Senators on both sides of the aisle have threatened to withhold votes on a clean FISA extension until Trump nominates a new DNI to replace acting Director Bill Pulte. The president’s selection of Pulte, a staunch Trump loyalist who critics note has no intelligence community experience, ignited a firestorm on Capitol Hill last week.
“Just like they did on Border Funding, the Radical Left Dumocrats are trying to take our National Security hostage because of unrelated issues. They should stop playing politics with the safety of our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I have named William Pulte to be Acting Director of National Intelligence, who will take over on June 19th, and have asked him to execute the immediate and needed downsizing of the office, reverting staff to their home agencies. At the same time, I am looking for a permanent ODNI Nominee with experience in National Security.”
Trump reiterated his view that “FISA 702 is very important to our Military, and keeping the American People safe, especially during the World Cup and America250 Celebrations.”
“If nothing is done, this important Law will expire this week. I am asking Congress to send me a short-term extension of FISA to provide time for the selection and confirmation of a permanent Head of the Agency,” he concluded.
INSIDE TRUMP’S PLAN TO TEAR DOWN ODNI, A ‘FAKE, BULLS***’ AGENCY
Trump met with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) multiple times this week, including Wednesday morning, to discuss a vehicle for breaking the FISA deadlock.
White House officials did not answer questions about Trump’s timeline for nominating Pulte’s replacement.