WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump is pushing Republican members of Congress to unite behind efforts to reauthorize a crucial foreign surveillance program before its April 20 deadline.
On Tuesday, Trump advocated for extending Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, known as FISA 702, which permits American intelligence agencies to monitor foreign communications that pass through U.S. digital networks. This surveillance tool was among several measures enacted following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Trump emphasized that FISA 702 serves as an essential resource for America’s armed forces and stressed the importance of Republican unity in securing its renewal. He indicated he is collaborating with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford to push through a straightforward extension this week.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump posted: “I am asking Republicans to UNIFY, and vote together on the test vote to bring a clean Bill to the floor.”
He continued: “Our Military desperately needs FISA 702, and it is one of the reasons we have had such tremendous SUCCESS on the battlefield, both in Venezuela and Iran.”
The surveillance authority is scheduled to lapse on April 20 unless Congress acts to extend it.
