Trump’s loyalist intelligence chief pick throws into doubt renewal of critical surveillance program

Donald Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, a close political ally and major Republican donor with no intelligence experience, as acting director of national intelligence, raising concerns about the renewal of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This appointment follows the departure of Tulsi Gabbard from the role.

The selection of Pulte could jeopardize bipartisan efforts to renew this critical surveillance program, as Democrats express skepticism regarding his qualifications and the implications for national security oversight.