Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is spearheading a demand by Senate Democrats that Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte produce documents on his office’s mortgage fraud investigations into three of President Trump’s political foes.
Warren, the Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, was joined with other Senate Democrat leaders in writing a letter to Pulte declaring that he has “a critical role to play in lowering housing costs for the American people. Yet since taking office, instead of prioritizing housing affordability, you have abused your power and authority as FHFA Director to engage in what can only be described as a politically motivated public campaign to attack President Trump’s perceived adversaries.”
Warren noted Pulte’s public accusations of mortgage fraud against three prominent Democrats – New York Attorney General Letitia James, Sen. Adam Schiff of California and Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook – but has been silent on mortgage fraud by Republicans.
“In one recent interview, when pressed on whether or not you planned to investigate the alleged mortgage fraud of Ken Paxton, a Republican and the Attorney General of Texas, you refused to comment,” Warren’s letter said. “It is also unclear whether you have engaged in any effort to investigate Trump Administration cabinet members—Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent—for alleged mortgage fraud after public reporting revealed that all may have engaged in activities similar to those you have accused Democratic officials of. These actions raise questions about the standards your office is applying in determining which allegations to pursue and announce publicly.”
Warren requested information, documents, and communications from Pulte regarding his mortgage fraud investigations by Oct. 8. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, made a similar request of Pulte earlier this month. As of this writing, Pulte did not publicly acknowledge the Warren and Raskin requests.
Photo by Gage Skidmore / Flickr Creative Commons
Yes it’s politically motivated. It’s also possible for Pulte to investigate mortgage fraud and work on lowering mortgage rates at the same times. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.