OAN Staff Addie Davis
11:49 AM – Wednesday, June 17, 2026
As the battle over the renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) continues, President Donald Trump announced he would keep William (Bill) Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), in the role of Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
He confirmed that while Republicans were willing to move forward with a permanent nominee, Jay Clayton, to ease the standoff, Democrats are still withholding votes, leaving Pulte securely in place as Acting DNI while the gridlock over the expiration continues.
On Friday, FISA 702 lapsed, though intelligence collection may legally continue for the time being, as it has court authorization until March of 2027.
Trump announced Pulte’s appointment on June 2nd to temporarily replace current DNI Tulsi Gabbard, whose resignation is set to take effect on June 30th. As an acting DNI, Pulte’s appointment did not require a Senate confirmation. He said he had asked Pulte to downsize the Office of the DNI (ODNI) during his predicted short tenure.
Democrat lawmakers had said they would not support an extension on the section due to Trump’s pick of Acting DNI, with Trump accusing them of holding national security “hostage.” Critics of Pulte have pointed to his lack of experience in national security.
However, in a Wednesday Truth Social post, Trump noted that Republicans had conceded on Pulte’s appointment in order to get the FISA 702 approval, though Democrats are still refusing to vote for the measure.
“Now, the Dumocrats are saying they will vote against FISA — So, the Republicans wound up having fulfilled their commitment, but Dumocrats broke the Deal,” he said.
A week earlier, on Thursday, the U.S. Commander-in-Chief nominated Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to the DNI position, with the Senate hearing for his confirmation scheduled for Wednesday. The president added that Senate Republicans had fast-tracked Clayton’s confirmation hearing, saying that “Pulte would be gone before the Dumocrats would vote on FISA.”
In his post, Trump continued to explain that he was canceling the hearing until Clayton’s replacement was approved.
The president had also appointed James McDonald to replace Clayton at his current job as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), but he said that McDonald may not be approved for the role due to “blue slipping,” the informal courtesy of allowing home senators to approve certain appointments in their states.
“Regarding the approval of our Great Patriot, Jay Clayton, we are cancelling the Senate Hearing RE: DNI today, and will not be going forward until Jamie McDonald is approved to be U.S. Attorney. In the meantime, Bill Pulte will remain as the Acting Director of National Intelligence,” Trump continued.
Further contributing to contention over FISA 702, Trump noted that he would not approve it without the passage of the SAVE America Act, which requires ID and proof of citizenship in order to participate in federal elections.
“Therefore, to add a slight bit of intrigue but, for the Good of the Nation, and the People of our Country, I will not approve FISA without THE SAVE AMERICA ACT going along with it. Not complicated, actually, the Republicans fell into a trap,” the commander-in-chief said.
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