Trump presses on with plan to install Bill Pulte as acting intelligence chief

Lawmakers warn appointment of presidential loyalist will scuttle bipartisan agreement to renew Fisa surveillance law Donald Trump stood firm on his decision to install the controversial loyalist Bill Pulte as the country’s top intelligence official, demanding Congress pass a short-term extension of a surveillance law set to expire amid intense criticism of the appointment. Pulte has been asked “to execute the immediate and needed downsizing” of the office of the director of national intelligence, the US president declared on Wednesday, after lining him up to serve as acting director on a temporary basis. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused Democrats of playing politics with the country’s safety after US senators – including seven Republicans – blocked the extension of a powerful government surveillance program. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (Fisa), which permits US intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreign targets operating outside the country without a warrant, is due to expire later this week. “FISA 702 is very important to our Military, and keeping the American People safe, especially during the World Cup and America250 Celebrations,