Pulte pick to lead DNI further jeopardizes path to renewing warrantless spy powers

President Trump’s bid to install a controversial ally to head the intelligence community without the blessing of Congress is giving lawmakers pause about renewing the nation’s warrantless spy powers. 

Trump on Tuesday announced he had tapped Bill Pulte, the current head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), to additionally serve as the acting director of national intelligence (DNI).

The move sparked an outcry from members on the left and the right, noting Pulte’s lack of any background in national security or intelligence, as well as his predilection for using his housing perch to forward allegations of mortgage fraud against Trump’s perceived political foes.

Lawmakers said that choice could collide with the already delicate battle to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a powerful spy tool set to expire on June 15. 

“You know, the reason you lost so many people on 702 was a lack of trust of Donald Trump, and then he goes and pulls this stunt in a way that is going to really exacerbate the lack of trust. I mean, people had mixed feelings about Tulsi Gabbard. Nobody has mixed feelings about Bill Pulte, so this is a huge problem for 702,” said Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, noting just around 40 Democrats supported a previous package to extend Section 702.

“I can’t imagine a stupider thing to do, nine days away from the authority expiring. I cannot imagine a stupider thing to do than to put atop of the intelligence community somebody who has a known track record of weaponizing government against political opponents.”

Congress has already twice punted on renewing Section 702, which initially expired in August, instead on two occasions passing short-term extensions to extend the deadline.

“I think it just makes it that much harder,” Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said of the battle to pass Section 702.

“It was always going to be difficult to get some kind of a consensus around 702, but when you put........

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