House and Senate leaders are scrambling to resolve a high-stakes legislative gridlock after congressional Democrats, joined by a handful of Republicans, blocked the reauthorization of a vital federal surveillance program over a dispute regarding President Donald Trump’s latest cabinet-level appointment.
Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, Virginia Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat and vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, confirmed that his party is prepared to let Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) expire this Friday unless the administration reconsiders its choice for the temporary Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
President Trump recently designated housing official Bill Pulte to take over the DNI role on an acting basis, replacing Tulsi Gabbard. Trump defended the temporary appointment last week, stating that an acting official is “less shackled” and maintains “more power for a somewhat limited time” to implement necessary reforms. The president also explicitly noted that Pulte “may find out some things about rigged elections,” signaling a renewed focus on election integrity and accountability within federal agencies.
However, Warner and committee Democrats have aggressively targeted Pulte’s credentials, emphasizing his private-sector background and pointing out that he did not hold a traditional security clearance prior to the designation.
“I didn’t think Trump could still surprise me, but he literally shocked me and I think all of my Republican colleagues on the Intel Committee by picking somebody with literally no security background,” Warner said during the broadcast.
Warner raised concerns that the acting director could use uncorroborated intelligence regarding foreign election interference to deploy federal assets or shut down polling stations. He also pointed to Pulte’s previous tenure regulating mortgage agencies, where the official was accused of reviewing confidential financial information belonging to prominent political adversaries, including Representative Adam Schiff.
The partisan standoff has placed a critical counterterrorism tool on the chopping block. Last week, Warner led a coalition—including seven Republican senators—to stall the renewal of the FISA surveillance program. Despite a warning letter from Senate Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton and Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley urging intelligence agencies to prepare for a “potential significant gap in foreign intelligence collection,” Warner deflected blame back to the executive branch.
“The person who’s put national security at risk is Donald Trump by choosing someone totally unqualified,” Warner asserted. When pressed on whether he would personally allow the intelligence collection program to lapse on Friday, Warner refused to commit to a baseline vote, stating, “Let’s see how the week plays out.”
Beyond national security, the interview exposed internal friction for Democrats regarding Graham Platner, the party’s Senate nominee in Maine. Platner faces intense scrutiny following leaked explicit text messages sent while married, alongside allegations of physical intimidation from past romantic partners. While Platner has flatly denied the allegations of physical altercations, the scandal has drawn comparisons to previous instances where Democrats demanded immediate resignations over personal misconduct.
Warner, who previously advocated for zero tolerance during similar scandals, took a noticeably hands-off approach to his fellow Democrat’s campaign.
“If these allegations are true, obviously, they’re disturbing, as the father of three daughters,” Warner said. “But end of the day, the folks in Maine are going to decide that. I’ve got my own campaign. I’m trying to get rehired this year, and that’s what I’m focused on.”
READ: Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman Vows ‘No Vote’ On Trump’s AG Pick As Bipartisan Doubts Grow
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