Overview
- President Trump's nominee, Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, told the Senate Intelligence Committee that Section 702 is indispensable and critical to mission outcomes.
- Pressed by Sen. Ron Wyden on requiring judicial warrants for surveillance targeting people in the United States, Rudd declined a clear commitment and said he would operate within existing authorities and laws.
- Rudd maintained that he would follow the Constitution and would not use NSA capabilities to target Americans for their speech or political beliefs.
- Section 702 permits targeting foreigners abroad using U.S. digital infrastructure and faces a congressional reauthorization deadline in April following past disputes over warrant requirements for U.S.-person queries.
- If confirmed, Rudd would also lead U.S. Cyber Command; senators from both parties expect his confirmation, though no date has been set for a floor vote.