President Trump announced Friday he signed a bill reauthorizing a controversial surveillance program passed by Congress and reiterated this measure differs from another he said “was so wrongly abused during the election.”

“Just signed 702 Bill to reauthorize foreign intelligence collection. This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first!” Trump tweeted.

Just signed 702 Bill to reauthorize foreign intelligence collection. This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2018



The House passed a bill reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act last week, and the Senate followed suit Thursday.

Section 702 authorizes the surveillance of non-U.S. citizens abroad.

While the House was preparing to vote for the measure last week, Trump signaled in an early-morning tweet he had concerns about the bill.

“’House votes on controversial FISA ACT today.’ This is the act that may have been used, with the help of the discredited and phony Dossier, to so badly surveil and abuse the Trump Campaign by the previous administration and others?” the president tweeted.

“House votes on controversial FISA ACT today.” This is the act that may have been used, with the help of the discredited and phony Dossier, to so badly surveil and abuse the Trump Campaign by the previous administration and others? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018



The tweet caused a stir on Capitol Hill, and some questioned whether the president was aware of what the legislation addressed.

But nearly two hours later, Trump posted another tweet indicating he supported the House bill.

“With that being said, I have personally directed the fix to the unmasking process since taking office and today’s vote is about foreign surveillance of foreign bad guys on foreign land. We need it! Get smart!” Trump tweeted.

With that being said, I have personally directed the fix to the unmasking process since taking office and today’s vote is about foreign surveillance of foreign bad guys on foreign land. We need it! Get smart! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018



White House press secretary Sarah Sanders later dismissed suggestions the president’s tweets were confusing or contradictory.