William Pulte, the Republican head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has been reportedly scrutinizing the mortgages of President Donald Trump's political rivals, as well as those with indirect ties to Trump himself. This alleged practice has raised concerns about the weaponization of a federal agency for political purposes. Pulte's actions have drawn significant attention, particularly his referral of fraud allegations against Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell to the agency's inspector general in late 2025, based on claims from a conservative news site. Swalwell, who is now running for governor of California, has since sued Pulte. Additionally, Pulte has publicly targeted New York Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Adam Schiff, both Democrats, for investigation.
Pulte, whose official role is to ensure the stability of the mortgage market, has been accused of transforming his position into a platform for attacking Trump's perceived political enemies. The Department of Justice is reportedly investigating whether federal agents were impersonated in some of these mortgage fraud probes, specifically concerning James and Schiff. This investigation, led by the Maryland US Attorney's Office and the FHFA inspector general, is examining the handling of these cases, which could complicate efforts to prosecute Trump's political adversaries.
Beyond political rivals, the scrutiny also extended to individuals connected to Trump, including his lawyer Todd Blanche. This broader scope suggests a pattern of using the FHFA's authority for politically motivated investigations. Critics, including The Washington Post, have questioned how personal financial documents became part of these inquiries. Pulte's aggressive and public approach to these investigations, which he often publicizes, stands in stark contrast to the typically non-partisan nature of his agency's mission.
