Trump’s NSA Nominee Backs Broad Surveillance Powers, Dodges Warrant Questions

Published: 29 Jan 2026

Washington – President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the National Security Agency told lawmakers on Thursday that he supports keeping sweeping foreign surveillance authorities created after the September 11 attacks, but offered few clear answers when pressed about limits on monitoring Americans.

Lieutenant General Joshua Rudd, currently a senior commander at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of his confirmation process to lead both the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.

Support for post-9/11 intelligence tools

Rudd voiced strong backing for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a provision that allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect communications of foreigners abroad using American digital networks.

He described the authority as essential to national security operations, saying it plays a key role in protecting the country from foreign threats and cyber risks.

Key points raised during the hearing included:

Section 702 remains central to U.S. intelligence gathering overseas
The authority is set to expire unless renewed by Congress this spring
Privacy concerns have intensified as lawmakers revisit their scope

Lawmakers push for safeguards for Americans

While the law targets foreign nationals, it has long drawn criticism because it can incidentally capture data involving Americans. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies can later search that data without first obtaining a warrant.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden pressed Rudd on whether he would require a judge’s approval before allowing surveillance tools to be used in cases involving U.S. citizens. Rudd stopped short of a direct commitment, saying only that he would follow existing laws and granted authorities if confirmed.

Wyden openly criticized the response, calling it unclear and evasive.

Republican Senator John Cornyn later revisited the issue, asking whether Rudd would support stronger oversight. Again, the nominee declined to take a firm position, saying the issue deserved further review.

A debate returning to Congress

Congress is expected to take up renewal of Section 702 in April, setting the stage for another heated debate over national security versus civil liberties. A similar effort in 2024 to require warrants for searches involving Americans narrowly failed in the House.

Rudd’s testimony signals that, under Trump’s leadership, the NSA is likely to defend broad surveillance powers even as bipartisan concerns over privacy continue to grow.

If confirmed, Rudd would oversee one of the most powerful intelligence agencies in the U.S. government at a moment when lawmakers are reconsidering the limits of digital surveillance in an increasingly connected world.

Sources:

Reuters report

Senate hearing