Trump Demand for Clean US Spy Law Renewal Splits Top Lawmakers

Feb. 26, 2026, 4:23 PM UTC

President Donald Trump has urged key US lawmakers to back a clean extension of a contentious spy law that is set to expire April 20.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act permits agencies to collect the electronic communications abroad of non-US citizens.

The program permits the warrantless collection of private messages in certain circumstances where Americans are in contact with a foreign surveillance target, making its renewal increasingly contentious on Capitol Hill.

“President Trump has requested a simple, clean extension and I support the commander-in-chief on this vital national-security decision,” Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), chairman of the Senate ...

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