Trump presses ahead with Pulte as acting DNI chief as FISA renewal faces bipartisan resistance

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is pressing ahead with plans to install Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence (DNI) despite growing bipartisan resistance that is now threatening renewal of a surveillance law he says is vital to national security.

Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about the move. The clash matters more now because Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire later this week.

Trump ties Bill Pulte fight to FISA extension

Trump doubled down on his decision Wednesday, saying Pulte had been asked “to execute the immediate and needed downsizing” of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

In a Truth Social post, the president accused Democrats of playing politics after senators, including seven Republicans, blocked an extension of the surveillance program.

“FISA 702 is very important to our Military, and keeping the American People safe, especially during the World Cup and America250 Celebrations,” Trump wrote.

He urged Congress to approve a temporary extension, adding, “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.”

Trump’s appeal came a day after he met House Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss elevating Pulte to the intelligence post. The president has said Pulte would serve only for a “short period,” but appointing him in an acting capacity would avoid a Senate confirmation battle.

Trump announced Tuesday that Pulte would begin working alongside outgoing intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard and take over on June 19, even though Gabbard said in her resignation letter that she would step down on June 30.

Democrats warn Bill Pulte's appointment jeopardizes deal

Democratic lawmakers quickly linked the nomination fight to the fate of Section 702, which permits intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreign targets outside the United States without a warrant.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats would not support reauthorizing the law if Trump moved forward with Pulte.

“Bill Pulte is deeply unqualified to serve as acting director of national intelligence and is deeply dangerous,” Jeffries told PBS NewsHour.

Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks during a news conference at the US Capitol on June 14, 2024, in Washington, DC (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Jeffries argued that Pulte lacks the background required for such a sensitive role.

“He’s got no national security experience, no military experience, and no law-enforcement experience,” Jeffries said. “Bill Pulte has zero of that.”

The New York Democrat also accused Pulte of showing “a willingness to weaponize the federal government against Donald Trump’s perceived adversaries”.

Scrutiny grows over Pulte’s record

Concerns about Pulte’s appointment have centered on both his lack of national security experience and fears from critics that he could use intelligence authorities against Trump’s political opponents.

As head of a federal mortgage agency, Pulte has accused several Trump critics of mortgage fraud, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Sen Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook.

According to the report, the case against James was dismissed, while referrals involving Schiff and Cook have not resulted in criminal charges.

Jeffries said Trump must reverse course before any broader negotiations over surveillance powers can move forward.

“Donald Trump needs to withdraw his decision to elevate Bill Pulte,” he said, calling that step “a starting point, not an ending point.”

With Section 702 nearing expiration and the White House standing by Pulte, the standoff has left both Trump’s intelligence plans and the future of a key surveillance authority facing mounting uncertainty.