Key facts
- US senators claim the Trump administration is withholding a secret court ruling on warrantless searches related to Section 702 of FISA.
- The ruling, which concerns search filters used by intelligence analysts, was due for public release by September 13, 2026.
- Senators Ron Wyden and Adam Schiff have demanded an explanation for the delay by November 6, 2026.
- The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court objected to search filters seven months prior but approved another year of surveillance.
- The FBI previously shut down a 'participants filter' tool in March 2025 due to untracked searches.
US senators Ron Wyden and Adam Schiff have accused the Trump administration of illegally withholding a secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ruling concerning warrantless searches. The senators claim the administration is delaying the release of the ruling, which addresses search filters used by intelligence analysts to access Americans' communications, until Congress renews Section 702 of FISA. The program, which allows federal agents to read Americans' communications without a warrant, lapsed in June but collection continues under a March court approval. The administration's own documentation states such rulings should be reviewed for public release within 180 days, a deadline that passed on September 13, 2026. Wyden and Schiff have demanded an explanation for the delay and the names of responsible officials by November 6, 2026.