Bill Pulte speaks to the press in January outside the West Wing of White House in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump said on social media Wednesday that Pulte will take over as acting director of national intelligence on June 19. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
June 10 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday pushed back against bipartisan criticism of his choice of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, calling for a short-term extension of a foreign surveillance program that could be at risk over his choice.
Trump chose Pulte last week to replace Tulsi Gabbard as director, later saying Pulte would not be the permanent replacement. The choice drew fire from Democrats and some Republicans. Pulte, who also is head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has used that role to investigate some of the president's opponents and allege mortgage fraud. He has no intelligence experience.
Some of those opposing Pulte have said they'll withhold support of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the United States government to collect communications by people outside the country, CNBC reported. The section will expire at the end of this week without an extension.
