Intelligence & Surveillance — 2026-03-17

FBI Queries of Americans' Data Under FISA 702 Rose 35% in 2025

FBI searches of US person data under Section 702 rose to 7,413 from 5,518 the previous year, a 35% increase disclosed in a March 11 letter to congressional judiciary committees. The surge comes as 702 faces an April 20 expiration. FBI Director Kash Patel and CIA Director John Ratcliffe met privately with Senate Republicans to push for clean reauthorization.

Analysis
Prior INTSUM covered Cotton's push for clean 18-month extension using wartime framing. The 35% query increase provides empirical ammunition for reform advocates but may be overshadowed by wartime 'don't tie our hands' messaging.

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