Trump and Johnson Meet at White House on FISA Section 702 Reauthorization Ahead of Friday Deadline

President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson met at the White House on Tuesday to address renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before its Friday deadline. The meeting occurs as Trump's selection of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence has slowed Senate action on the reauthorization.

Democrats in both chambers have signaled objections to Pulte, citing his lack of national intelligence experience.

U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency. He can serve in an acting capacity for up to 210 days without Senate confirmation. Johnson told ABC News Correspondent Jay O'Brien that the choice of acting DNI belongs to the president.

"It's the president's prerogative," Johnson said when asked if Trump should reconsider Pulte. Johnson added that he was heading to the White House "to visit with him and his team about a number of items," with FISA reauthorization at the top of the list.

U.S. Soil. Section 702 permits the government to collect communications of foreigners abroad without a warrant, including when those individuals communicate with Americans. Congress has fully reauthorized the program three times since its creation in 2008.

The House passed a FISA reauthorization measure in April. Johnson said the bill remains in the Senate, where lawmakers are developing a compromise version. "We'll pass what they send," he stated. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters Tuesday that he believes Trump is "weighing seriously" naming a permanent director of national intelligence.

Thune said he has not spoken directly to Trump about Pulte but has been in contact with White House officials. "I don't think [it's] about replacing Pulte," Thune said. " Before the Pulte announcement, a bipartisan group of lawmakers had been moving toward a three-year reauthorization.

Democrats are now resisting a long-term extension over objections to Pulte. Pulte is known for launching probes into Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff, and former Democratic Rep.

Eric Swalwell over allegations of mortgage fraud and possible misuse of authority. All four have denied wrongdoing.