Speaker Mike Johnson addresses a weekly press conference at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, June 3, 2026.Will Oliver/EPA/Shutterstock
President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are convening at the White House on Tuesday as the deadline approaches for Congress to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Their meeting occurs as Trump’s nomination of Bill Pulte for acting director of national intelligence complicates efforts on Capitol Hill to extend the controversial surveillance statute by Friday’s close of business, or risk the program’s legal authority expiring for the first time.
Democrats in both legislative bodies have voiced opposition to Pulte, arguing that the head of the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency lacks any relevant national intelligence background.
Upon departing the Capitol on Tuesday, Johnson informed ABC News Correspondent Jay O’Brien that the president has the sole discretion to select whomever he wishes to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, dismissing pressure to alter the current course.
"Is it time for the president to reconsider his choice of Bill Pulte as acting DNI?" ABC’s O’Brien inquired of Johnson.
"It rests with the president’s authority," Johnson responded. "I am heading over there presently to confer with him and his staff on various matters."
Foremost among those matters is FISA’s Section 702, which empowers the federal government to gather communications from individuals outside the U.S. without a warrant, including instances where those individuals are communicating with American citizens. This program has received full reauthorization from Congress on three occasions since its inception as an intelligence tool in 2008.
Speaker Mike Johnson addresses a weekly press conference at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, June 3, 2026.Will Oliver/EPA/Shutterstock
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise informed reporters that Trump and Johnson are meeting "to finalize this accord on FISA."
"FISA has been employed repeatedly to thwart terrorist plots aimed at our nation and prevent attacks on American soil; it is a crucial, vital instrument that we must extend," Scalise stated.
Johnson indicated that the House awaits action from the Senate on FISA, a legislative achievement that necessitates the bipartisan endorsement of at least 60 senators.
"We approved the FISA reauthorization in the House back in April. It remains pending in the Senate. They are currently developing another compromise bill," Johnson told ABC News. "We will vote on whatever they transmit."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune informed reporters on Tuesday that he believes Trump is "seriously contemplating" the appointment of a permanent nominee to the director of national intelligence position, as Pulte’s interim designation impedes progress on FISA on the Senate floor. Pulte can only serve in an acting capacity for a maximum of 210 days without Senate confirmation.
Thune mentioned that he has not directly communicated with Trump regarding Pulte but has "been in touch with someone in that administration who is deeply invested in this matter."
"I don’t believe [the focus is] on replacing Pulte," Thune remarked when questioned about the White House’s potential next steps. "I think they are giving serious consideration to making a long-term selection."
Pulte is most recognized within the Trump administration for initiating inquiries into several of the president’s perceived political adversaries concerning allegations of mortgage fraud and potential abuse of power. Among those targeted by these investigations are Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, and former Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell. All have denied any wrongdoing.
Prior to the president’s announcement of his intention to nominate Pulte to head ODNI following Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation, a coalition of lawmakers from both parties was moving towards the approval of a three-year FISA reauthorization. However, Democrats are now hesitant about a long-term extension due to their reservations about Pulte.
"This was an agreement reached by both parties and chambers, with consensus from all major players, and the designation of Pulte to that role, while perhaps not ideally timed, I still don’t think it should jeopardize something of this magnitude," Thune stated last Friday.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com