Trump is demanding a clean extension of Section 702, but privacy hawks in his own party aren’t convinced

President Trump is pressing Congress to extend Section 702 without changes, even as lawmakers from both parties push for added restrictions. The story gained traction through Politico, which reported that the White House is pushing a straightforward renewal ahead of the program’s deadline.

Section 702 is a foreign intelligence authority set to expire on April 20. A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants new safeguards to limit warrantless searches of Section 702 data involving Americans, but Trump has told allies he wants a clean extension.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton confirmed the president’s position, saying Trump requested a simple extension and that he supports it as a national security priority. The report also says Trump has communicated that request to Speaker Mike Johnson, House Intelligence Committee Chair Rick Crawford, and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan.

The votes for a clean renewal look uncertain

Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said Crawford told him this week that Trump is seeking an 18 month clean authorization. The effort has also been backed in private lobbying by senior White House staff, including domestic policy adviser Stephen Miller, with some intelligence community allies privately floating a longer extension. The same week has included a Pentagon AI access deadline.

Despite Trump’s push, a clean extension is expected to face resistance in the House. A coalition of privacy focused lawmakers from both parties has pushed for changes for years, and vote counters do not believe a clean extension can secure the two thirds majority needed for fast track passage. Republican lawmakers and senior aides are also skeptical the party can unify behind the procedural steps required to bring a clean measure to the floor.

Himes said the administration has presented what he described as a strong case that changes made two years ago addressed privacy concerns. He also suggested Trump’s endorsement could complicate support among Democrats, who may be reluctant to back the program under a president he said has shown “disdain for the law” and “disdain for the Congress.” Separately, Altman AI energy defense drew attention in adjacent tech policy debates.