FISA Spy Program at Risk Due to Trump's Appointment of Pulte as Intelligence Director
The U.S. Congress has failed to extend a key surveillance tool under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), known as Section 702, due to opposition to President Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Pulte, who lacks intelligence experience, was chosen by Trump to temporarily lead the nation's intelligence agencies. Democrats, led by Rep. Jim Himes, have criticized the appointment and refused to support the FISA renewal unless Pulte is replaced. The House vote to extend the program failed, and the Senate also did not pass its version, leading to the expiration of the surveillance authority. This lapse could affect the U.S. government's ability to collect foreign intelligence, especially amid ongoing international tensions. 
