Senate Intelligence Committee

The Senate Intelligence Committee will hold a July 15 confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton's nomination as director of national intelligence, aiming to replace Bill Pulte and advance the reauthorization of a lapsed spy authority. President Trump delayed the process until James McDonald's nomination for U.S. attorney was approved, and Republicans seek confirmation before an August recess to resolve a stalemate over extending Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Democratic senators agreed to renew Congress's anti-terror spying powers under Section 702 of FISA amid concerns about national security, despite the provision's expiration in June 2024. The renewal is tied to ongoing disputes over President Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, with critics citing his lack of intelligence experience. Trump has also conditioned FISA 702 renewal on passing the SAVE Act, which imposes voter ID requirements.

Legislation to revive warrantless spying powers under FISA remains uncertain after President Trump delayed a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing for Jay Clayton, his nominee for director of national intelligence. The delay has stalled negotiations related to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

President Trump canceled the Senate hearing for his DNI nominee Jay Clayton until U.S. Attorney nominee Jamie McDonald is confirmed. Senate lawmakers and aides were uncertain about Trump's authority to cancel the hearing, with some stating it was unclear if the hearing would proceed. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton later confirmed the hearing would go ahead despite Trump's statement.

Bill Pulte assumes the role of acting Director of National Intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, amid bipartisan concerns over his qualifications and a stalled nomination process for Jay Clayton. Critics argue Pulte lacks required national security experience, and his potential efforts to reduce the intelligence community's size could face legal challenges.

President Donald Trump delayed the confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton's nomination as director of national intelligence, leading to its postponement. The Senate Intelligence Committee chair Tom Cotton expressed regret, while Democrats criticized the move as undermining national security. Concerns were raised about the impact on the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the delay in confirming a replacement for Acting Intel Director Bill Pulte.

President Donald Trump urged the Senate to delay the confirmation hearing for director of national intelligence nominee Jay Clayton, leading to its postponement. Trump cited concerns about a broken deal with Democrats and Clayton’s role as U.S. attorney, while senators criticized the move for disrupting national security processes and delaying FISA law renewal.

President Donald Trump directed the postponement of Jay Clayton's confirmation hearing for director of national intelligence, citing concerns about a broken deal with Democrats and Clayton's ongoing role as U.S. attorney. Senate Democrats criticized the move as undermining national security, while Republicans expressed concerns about delays in passing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

President Trump delayed the nomination of Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence, disrupting Senate efforts to renew a surveillance program and causing tension with Republicans. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton criticized the delay but later postponed the hearing. Trump's move increases the likelihood of Bill Pulte, a controversial temporary appointee, assuming the role.

President Donald Trump delayed the nomination of Jay Clayton for director of national intelligence hours before a scheduled Senate hearing, despite bipartisan support. The move disrupted efforts to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and intensified tensions with Senate Republicans, who had planned to proceed with the confirmation. Trump's decision may lead to Bill Pulte, a controversial interim appointee, assuming the role as outgoing director Tulsi Gabbard leaves office.

President Trump delayed the nomination of Jay Clayton to lead the U.S. intelligence community to pressure Congress on a voter ID bill. The postponement of Clayton's confirmation hearing, directed by Trump, caused uncertainty over the intelligence community's leadership and a surveillance program. Senator Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed regret over the delay but pledged to proceed with the confirmation soon.

The Senate Intelligence Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence despite President Trump's demand to delay the process. Trump linked the approval of Clayton and another nominee, Jamie McDonald, to the passage of a voting bill and the renewal of a surveillance tool. Senator Tom Cotton stated the hearing will proceed unless Trump withdraws the nomination or orders Clayton not to appear.

President Trump delayed the nomination of Jay Clayton to lead the U.S. intelligence community to pressure Congress on a voter ID bill. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton pledged to proceed with a confirmation hearing despite Trump's move, which has stalled the renewal of a key surveillance program under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The dispute involves bipartisan criticism of Trump's prior selection of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.

President Trump delayed Jay Clayton’s nomination to lead U.S. intelligence to pressure Congress on a voter ID bill. Senate intelligence committee chairman Tom Cotton pledged to proceed with a confirmation hearing unless Trump withdraws the nomination. The delay complicates the renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a surveillance program critical for intelligence gathering.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is holding a confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton's nomination as Director of National Intelligence, aiming to address stalled discussions on reviving the expired Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which lapsed on June 12.

Sen. Mark Warner stated that intelligence community leaders are terrified of showing information to Bill Pulte, whom President Trump appointed as acting Director of National Intelligence. Democrats are blocking the reauthorization of a key spy power to prevent Pulte from taking over, protesting his appointment as temporary intelligence chief.

President Donald Trump plans to nominate Jay Clayton, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, as director of national intelligence amid congressional pressure to replace Tulsi Gabbard. The nomination follows controversy over Trump's decision to appoint Bill Pulte as acting director, which led to a standoff with Democrats over the renewal of foreign intelligence powers.

President Trump has delayed naming a permanent director of national intelligence, opting to keep Bill Pulte as a temporary leader despite concerns over his lack of experience. This delay risks a lapse in Section 702 of FISA, a surveillance law set to expire on June 12, as Democrats withhold support for its renewal due to Pulte's appointment. Trump has requested a short-term extension to allow time for selecting a permanent replacement.

Republican senators warn that Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a surveillance program set to expire on June 12, may lapse due to bipartisan opposition to President Trump’s selection of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence. Efforts to extend the program stalled after Pulte’s nomination faced criticism for lacking national security experience, with senators from both parties blocking a long-term extension.

President Donald Trump directed acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to reduce the size of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) before a permanent nominee is confirmed, calling the office 'unnecessary and/or too big.' Trump emphasized removing personnel and streamlining operations, with Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton supporting the effort to downsize or eliminate the agency.

President Donald Trump instructed acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to reduce the size of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) before a permanent nominee is confirmed, calling the office 'unnecessary and/or too big.' Trump emphasized cutting personnel, including holdovers from previous administrations, and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton supported the move, advocating for downsizing or eliminating ODNI.

Sen. Mark Warner warns of risks associated with Bill Pulte's appointment as acting director of national intelligence. The warning was discussed during an NPR interview with Steve Inskeep.

Senate Republicans are proposing a three-year extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through June 12, 2029, with new guardrails and penalties for intelligence abuses. The bill includes a three-year ban on the Federal Reserve issuing a digital currency and faces challenges from privacy advocates and concerns over President Donald Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.

Tulsi Gabbard resigned as director of national intelligence, citing her husband's battle with rare bone cancer. Her departure leaves President Trump with three Cabinet-level vacancies to fill and complicates Senate confirmation efforts amid strained relations with Republican senators.

Tulsi Gabbard has resigned from her position as Director of National Intelligence. The resignation follows her testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding worldwide threats on March 18, 2026.

President Trump's proposed US-China investment board to vet Chinese investments is facing bipartisan skepticism on Capitol Hill. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent outlined the plan to create a board that would identify non-sensitive investment areas, but lawmakers are concerned about bypassing existing national security screening through CFIUS. Support from Republicans hinges on specific details about board composition and investment categories, particularly regarding artificial intelligence and land ownership.

Congress extended Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for 45 days, delaying a permanent resolution amid debates over privacy concerns and surveillance reforms. The extension follows disputes over declassifying a court opinion and conflicting proposals between the House and Senate, including a failed attempt to link the law to a central bank digital currency ban.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is clashing with NSA supporters like Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) over reauthorization of a controversial domestic spying program. Wyden seeks to declassify a court opinion criticizing the Trump administration's use of Section 702 of FISA, while Cotton warns of 'consequences' for Wyden's public disclosure of classified material. The program, set to expire, faces legislative gridlock between the House and Senate.