Trump presses on with plan to install Bill Pulte as acting intelligence chief
Lawmakers warn appointment of presidential loyalist will scuttle bipartisan agreement to renew Fisa surveillance law
TL;DR
- Donald Trump is proceeding with installing Bill Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence.
- Trump is demanding Congress pass a short-term extension of the Fisa surveillance law, which is set to expire.
- Critics, including Democrats and some Republicans, are concerned about Pulte's lack of national security experience and the potential for him to target political enemies.
- Section 702 of Fisa allows US intelligence agencies to collect foreign communications without a warrant.
- Democratic leaders have stated they will not support the reauthorization of the surveillance law if Pulte is appointed.
- Pulte has previously used his access to financial information to accuse public officials disliked by Trump of mortgage fraud.