Lawmakers Abandon Trump on Warrantless Wiretapping

A key federal spy program is in jeopardy — and President Trump is getting resistance from both sides of the aisle. Congressional authority for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act expires this Friday. The program lets the government collect information on foreign targets overseas who use American communication systems. It has been reauthorized under presidents of both parties for years. But right now, it doesn't have the votes.

Last week, the Senate rejected a procedural move to advance the bill, 47 to 52. Several Republicans voted against it — including Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville — along with most Democrats. Some Republicans have long raised civil liberties concerns about the program, specifically that it also sweeps up communications from Americans who contact those foreign targets. Others are angry about unrelated fights with the White House.

The bigger flashpoint is Trump's choice of Bill Pulte to temporarily lead the intelligence community. Senators in both parties were caught off guard by the pick. Pulte has no national-security background and no security clearance. Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Mark Warner said talks on the bill were moving forward — until Trump dropped that name. Warner called the choice a, quote, national-security threat.

Trump, meanwhile, has been pushing hard for a clean reauthorization with no changes. He's called the program critical for military operations and the ongoing conflict with Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that Sunday, calling Section 702 one of the nation's most effective tools against domestic terror threats and blaming Democrats for blocking it — though he made no mention of the Republicans who also voted no.

If Congress fails to act by Friday, the program won't shut down immediately. An intelligence court approved it to continue for another year back in March. But the clock is running, and right now, there is no clear path to a deal.