Trump sticks with Pulte for intel job as risk grows of lapse in spy powers

The United States faces a growing risk of a lapse in its foreign intelligence gathering capabilities as President Donald Trump resists pressure to appoint a permanent director of national intelligence. The critical Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is set to expire Friday at midnight, and Democrats have vowed not to support its renewal without Trump withdrawing his temporary pick, Bill Pulte.

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We can't let them extort us.

Trump has doubled down on Pulte, a federal housing finance regulator with limited experience in intelligence matters, even as Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill urge him to name a permanent replacement. The president has stated he wants to "downsize" intelligence agencies and accused Democrats of trying to "extort us" by linking FISA renewal to Pulte's removal.

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We're going to ask every member here to do the right thing. We cannot allow that to go dark.

This impasse could severely curtail the U.S. government's ability to collect intelligence abroad at a time when the nation is preparing for major events, including the World Cup and its 250th anniversary celebrations. Senate Republicans proposed a two-week extension, but Democrats rejected it, insisting the president must act first.

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disgraceful individual

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the House would vote on a two-week stopgap measure, but its chances of passage appear slim. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called Pulte a "disgraceful individual" and a "partisan political hack" who is "deeply unqualified." Congressional leaders have conveyed to the White House the necessary steps for the bill's passage, but Trump maintains he needs more time to select a permanent nominee, stating he is interviewing candidates with national security backgrounds.

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partisan political hack