June 10 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday pushed back against bipartisan criticism of his choice of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, calling for a short-term extension of a foreign surveillance program that could be at risk over his choice.

The selection of Bill Pulte has triggered worries from some Republicans and drawn criticism from Senate Democrats, imperiling a vote on a surveillance law.

Republicans and Democrats have lobbied President Donald Trump to immediately name a permanent director of national intelligence to make it easier to renew a key surveillance authority.