Emboldened Senate Democrats block even bipartisan bills in hardball approach to counter Trump

Senate Democrats let the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) expire starting Saturday, marking a bold shift in their strategy to counter President Donald Trump’s policies. The move follows a year of resistance, including government shutdowns and delays on Trump’s nominations, as Democrats seek leverage in a Republican-led Congress. They cite Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte—a federal housing regulator with no national security background—as interim director of national intelligence as the primary reason for blocking FISA renewal. Republicans condemn the lapse as reckless, arguing it weakens counterterrorism efforts just as millions arrive for the World Cup and Independence Day celebrations. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., accused Democrats of abandoning responsibility for national security, pointing to past shutdowns and delays in funding Trump’s immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, Democrats insist Pulte’s lack of experience and Trump’s potential misuse of surveillance tools justify their stance. The standoff has united Democrats, who claim they have no alternative but to resist Trump’s leadership. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., vowed to use every tool available to fight back, while Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, acknowledged the risks but blamed Trump for the crisis. Democrats also highlight Pulte’s past investigations into political figures Trump opposes, framing his appointment as politically motivated. Trump nominated a permanent replacement for the intelligence director role on Thursday, but the confirmation process will take time. Lawmakers from both parties had urged him to withdraw Pulte’s interim appointment, but Trump has not yielded. Democrats argue that without changes, they cannot support extending FISA, even if it means leaving critical surveillance authorities lapsed. The tactic has won Democrats support from base voters, who criticized their party last year for compromising with Republicans. Strategist Joel Payne, who worked for former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, noted the shift toward a more combative posture. However, Democrats have yet to secure major policy wins, leaving their strategy’s long-term effectiveness in question.