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President Trump Appoints Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence Amid Controversy

President Trump Appoints Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence Amid Controversy

President Trump has appointed Bill Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence, a decision that has sparked controversy due to Pulte's limited background in intelligence. Pulte, who currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has faced criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, including U.S. Senator John Cornyn, who questioned his qualifications. The current director, Tulsi Gabbard, is set to leave the position at the end of June 2026. The director of national intelligence plays a crucial role as the principal adviser to the president on intelligence matters, coordinating the 17 agencies that comprise the U.S. intelligence community. This position was established following the 9/11 attacks to improve coordination and prevent intelligence failures.

US House Speaker Johnson meets with Trump with surveillance law at risk

US House Speaker Johnson meets with Trump with surveillance law at risk

By David Morgan and Katharine Jackson WASHINGTON, June 9 (Reuters) - U.S.

President Trump's Intelligence Pick Faces Bipartisan Backlash Over Qualifications

President Trump's Intelligence Pick Faces Bipartisan Backlash Over Qualifications

President Trump has nominated Bill Pulte, a current head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as the acting director of national intelligence. This decision has sparked controversy due to Pulte's perceived lack of qualifications for the role. The director of national intelligence is a critical position, serving as the principal national security adviser to the president and overseeing the President’s Daily Brief and the National Intelligence Council. The role requires a deep understanding of intelligence operations, which some lawmakers argue Pulte lacks. This nomination has faced resistance not only from Democrats but also from some Republicans, including U.S. Senator John Cornyn, who criticized Pulte's qualifications. The current director, Tulsi Gabbard, is set to leave the position at the end of June 2026.

Explainer-What is FISA Section 702, the U.S. surveillance law set to expire June 12?

Explainer-What is FISA Section 702, the U.S. surveillance law set to expire June 12?

By AJ Vicens June 9 (Reuters) - A U.S. surveillance law that allows federal authorities to collect the communications of foreigners abroad and search them for Americans’ data without a warrant is set to expire on June 12, amid debate over warrant rules and President Donald Trump’s planned

The Latest: Trump says US must respond to downed helicopter,

The Latest: Trump says US must respond to downed helicopter,

President Donald Trump is blaming Iran for downing a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz and said the United States must respond to the attack

The Latest: Federal judge strikes down Trump’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas

The Latest: Federal judge strikes down Trump’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas

The Trump administration’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas has been struck down by a federal judge in Boston, contradicting an earlier ruling in Washington, D.C. upholding the fee hike

Republican Senators Warn of Surveillance Program Lapse Amid Trump Intel Pick Backlash

Republican Senators Warn of Surveillance Program Lapse Amid Trump Intel Pick Backlash

Republican senators have warned the White House that a critical surveillance authority may lapse due to bipartisan backlash over President Donald Trump's pick to lead the nation's intelligence community. The authority, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, allows agencies to collect communications from foreign targets without a warrant. Senators Tom Cotton and Chuck Grassley expressed concerns about the potential gap in intelligence collection if the authority expires. The controversy stems from Trump's selection of Bill Pulte, a federal housing finance regulator, as acting director of national intelligence, which has faced opposition due to Pulte's lack of experience in intelligence.

Republican Senators Warn of Surveillance Program Lapse Amid Trump Intel Pick Controversy

Republican Senators Warn of Surveillance Program Lapse Amid Trump Intel Pick Controversy

Republican senators are cautioning that a critical surveillance authority, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, may expire due to bipartisan opposition to President Trump's nominee for the Director of National Intelligence, Bill Pulte. This section allows U.S. agencies to collect foreign communications without a warrant. The Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, led by Senators Tom Cotton and Chuck Grassley, have expressed concerns about a potential gap in intelligence collection if the authority lapses. Efforts to extend the program have been hindered by concerns over incidental collection of Americans' communications and the controversial nomination of Pulte, who lacks national security experience. The Senate's failure to pass a long-term extension has been attributed to opposition from both parties, with some Republicans joining Democrats in blocking the extension.

Republican senators warn surveillance program may lapse after Trump intel pick backlash

Republican senators warn surveillance program may lapse after Trump intel pick backlash

Senators are warning that a key U.S. surveillance authority could expire this week after bipartisan opposition to President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the nation’s intelligence community derailed an extension effort

US lawmakers warn Pulte appointment could thwart surveillance law's renewal

US lawmakers warn Pulte appointment could thwart surveillance law's renewal

By Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON, June 7 (Reuters) - Two U.S. lawmakers with national security expertise warned on Sunday that President Donald Trump's choice of Bill Pulte to be his chief intelligence adviser could stand in the way of renewing an expiring foreign surveillance

Explainer-What is FISA Section 702, the U.S. surveillance law set to expire June 12?

Explainer-What is FISA Section 702, the U.S. surveillance law set to expire June 12?

By AJ Vicens June 9 (Reuters) - A U.S. surveillance law that allows federal authorities to collect the communications of foreigners abroad and search them for Americans’ data without a warrant is set to expire on June 12, amid debate over warrant rules and President Donald Trump’s planned

President Trump Appoints Acting Director to Downsize National Intelligence Office

President Trump Appoints Acting Director to Downsize National Intelligence Office

President Trump has appointed Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence with a mandate to reduce the size of the office. This move follows the resignation of Tulsi Gabbard, who had already initiated a significant downsizing of the office, citing inefficiency. Under Gabbard, the office's budget was cut by over $700 million annually, and the workforce was reduced by approximately 40%. Trump has expressed that Pulte's temporary appointment is strategic, allowing him to implement further reductions before a permanent director is confirmed. This decision has faced bipartisan resistance in the Senate, particularly concerning the renewal of a national security surveillance program, as some Democrats have expressed distrust in Pulte's ability to manage the program.