Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), reportedly extended his scrutiny of mortgages to include Attorney General Todd Blanche last year, alongside his highly publicized investigations into President Trump's political adversaries. This new revelation, according to individuals familiar with the situation, deepens concerns regarding the potential politicization of Pulte's official position. Pulte, whose agency oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has already drawn criticism for using his role to pursue investigations into figures like New York Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, all perceived antagonists of Trump.
Pulte's actions have been widely documented, with reports indicating he referred James to the Department of Justice for alleged mortgage fraud and similarly accused Schiff of falsifying bank documents and property records to secure favorable loan terms between 2003 and 2019. Lisa Cook was also among those whose mortgage records Pulte probed. The broad scope of these investigations, now including Attorney General Blanche, suggests a pattern of leveraging his regulatory authority to target individuals connected to the Trump administration or its critics. These actions stand in stark contrast to the FHFA's typical mandate of ensuring the stability of the mortgage market.
The inclusion of Attorney General Blanche in Pulte's investigations raises questions about the criteria for such scrutiny and whether it extends beyond direct political adversaries. This development further fuels accusations that Pulte is abusing his power at the FHFA. His defenders, however, maintain that his efforts are aimed at uncovering legitimate financial misconduct. Critics, including Senator Schiff's attorney, have called for an investigation into Pulte himself, citing a "highly irregular, partisan process" and the public disclosure of confidential personal information. The Justice Department, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, has reportedly directed its "Weaponization Working Group" to investigate claims related to Pulte's activities.
