Trump Appoints Pulte as Acting DNI
Donald Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting DNI faces bipartisan opposition and jeopardizes the renewal of a key surveillance law.
Atlas Newsdesk ·
Trump Appoints Pulte as Acting DNI, Jeopardizing Surveillance Law Renewal
Donald Trump on Tuesday announced his intention to appoint Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a move that has generated bipartisan congressional opposition and threatens the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), set to expire this week. Pulte, currently head of a federal mortgage agency, is slated to assume the role on June 19, replacing outgoing director Tulsi Gabbard.
The appointment has drawn criticism due to Pulte's lack of national security experience. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that Democrats would not support the renewal of the FISA surveillance law if Pulte is installed. Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential for the DNI office's powers to be used for political targeting, with Trump publicly suggesting Pulte could investigate election integrity claims.
Section 702 of FISA permits the collection of foreign intelligence from non-U.S. persons located outside the United States, even if their communications involve U.S. persons or pass through U.S. servers. This authority has been a source of controversy, particularly after a 2020 discovery that the FBI used Section 702 to investigate individuals associated with Black Lives Matter protests. The impending appointment of Pulte has complicated efforts to secure a bipartisan agreement for the law's renewal.