WASHINGTON—The Government Accountability Office has opened an investigation into whether Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte abused his position and misused government resources to promote criminal allegations against political figures viewed as opponents of President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.
The inquiry follows a November request from eight Senate Democrats who urged the GAO to determine whether Pulte’s referrals of several prominent Democrats and public officials to the Justice Department were politically motivated. In a letter to lawmakers, GAO managing director A. Nicole Clowers said the watchdog had accepted the request and confirmed the probe was within its authority, according to Reuters. The agency has not set a timeline for its review. FHFA declined to comment, while the White House defended Pulte as a “loyal and important advisor,” Reuters noted.
Pulte, who leads the agency that oversees key parts of the mortgage market, has repeatedly accused individuals targeted by Trump—including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook—of mortgage fraud. But the allegations have increasingly met resistance. A federal judge dismissed criminal charges against James last month that stemmed from a referral Pulte initiated, and federal prosecutors in Maryland have begun reviewing his conduct related to similar accusations against Rep. Adam Schiff, Reuters reported.
All three officials—James, Schiff, and Cook—have denied wrongdoing. The scrutiny comes as Democrats accuse Pulte of weaponizing the FHFA to advance political vendettas rather than focusing on housing affordability and market oversight.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who helped lead the GAO request along with Sen. Dick Durbin, said Pulte had “abused his power” and must be held accountable, according to Reuters.