Pulte standoff stalls 702 renewal as Trump weighs a new DNI pick

Democrats refuse to back a multi-year reauthorization of the Section 702 surveillance authority while Bill Pulte—Trump’s acting DNI with no national-security background—remains in the post; the White House defends Pulte, while Republicans urge a quicker path and a permanent nominee. With a June 12 deadline looming, lawmakers fear a lapse could complicate foreign intelligence collection, though some backstop provisions could allow limited operation for months as talks continue on a long-term DNI pick and 702 renewal.