In a dramatic intervention that has sent shockwaves through Washington, former President Donald Trump has publicly called on Republicans to "kill" a major US surveillance law, marking a stark reversal from the policies his own administration championed.
The law in question, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), is considered a cornerstone of America's national security apparatus, allowing intelligence agencies to collect communications of non-Americans located overseas without a warrant.
A Direct Contradiction to Past Policy
The move represents a stunning about-face. The Trump administration itself had strongly supported the reauthorisation of Section 702 back in 2018. Now, Trump's vehement opposition, voiced on his social media platform Truth Social, places him in direct conflict with current Republican House Speaker, Mike Johnson.
Trump's justification for the U-turn is rooted in his longstanding claims of being wrongfully targeted by US intelligence agencies during the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. He framed his instruction to lawmakers as a stand against the "illegal and unconstitutional surveillance of Americans."
A Political Headache for Republican Leadership
This unexpected command from the party's de facto leader creates a significant political dilemma for Speaker Johnson. The Speaker had been diligently working to gather support for a bill that would reauthorise the program with some modifications. Trump's public broadside threatens to derail these efforts entirely, potentially leaving US intelligence agencies without a critical tool.
The timing is critical, as the legal authority for the surveillance program is set to expire on 19th April. A failure to pass the reauthorisation could be portrayed by opponents as a major national security failure for the Republican-led House.
This episode underscores Trump's immense and enduring influence over the Republican party, demonstrating his willingness to upend established policy positions and create chaos within the party's legislative agenda to align with his personal grievances.
