WASHINGTON, June 10 -- The American surveillance state has survived every fight Congress has picked with it for half a century. What it may not survive is one man's loyalty to another. By Friday night, the law that lets US spy agencies sweep up foreigners' communications without a warrant is set to expire for the first time in its history, and the reason is not privacy, or principle, but Donald Trump's insistence that Bill Pulte run American intelligence.

Trump confirmed on Tuesday evening that Pulte, his housing regulator, will take over as acting director of national intelligence on June 19, earlier than planned, while keeping his day jobs as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Hou...