GAO to probe FHFA Director Bill Pulte's referrals to DOJ

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has officially begun a review of Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte, NBC News reports. This investigation follows requests from Senate Democrats urging a swift review of Pultes recent referrals to the Department of Justice (DOJ) that targeted certain political opponents of the president.

In a letter to the GAO, the senators highlighted referrals involving New York Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and Congressman Eric Swalwell. Pulte had previously forwarded these individuals to the DOJ on allegations of mortgage fraud.

A GAO representative confirmed that the office has accepted the request and will initially define the investigation's "full scope." The process may extend over several months, and updates will not be provided until the review concludes.

Context of Pultes Referrals

Democrats have repeatedly questioned Pulte regarding the origin of the mortgage documents used in his referrals. In a September interview on CNBCs "Squawk Box," Pulte stated he received a "tip" but declined to disclose its source, explaining, "We make referrals almost every day. Lisa Cook happened to be one of them."

The FHFA has extensive access to mortgage data through the National Mortgage Database and the Enterprise Public Use Database, which compiles information from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

In August, President Donald Trump dismissed Cook, citing Pultes referral to Attorney General Pam Bondi. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear related proceedings in January 2026. Pulte's referral regarding James also faced a setback: a grand jury indictment was issued but later dismissed because the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, was deemed improperly appointed by Trump.

GAO Review Objectives

The GAO indicated that the investigation will examine whether Pulte, as FHFA director, and the agencys employees misused federal authority or resources. The FHFA has not publicly commented on the GAOs announcement.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung described Pulte as one of Trump's "most loyal and important advisors" and dismissed criticisms as attempts by the media to create division. Cheung emphasized Pulte's dedication to the administration's America First agenda.

Analysis: GAO Review of FHFA Director Bill Pulte

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has officially initiated a review of Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte. This follows requests from Senate Democrats who raised concerns over Pulte's recent referrals to the Department of Justice (DOJ) targeting political figures, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff.

The GAO's investigation will focus on whether Pulte and FHFA employees misused federal authority or resources in making these referrals. The office confirmed that it will first define the "full scope" of the review, which is expected to take several months. Updates will only be released upon the review's conclusion.

Pulte previously stated he acted on a "tip" when forwarding the allegations, declining to disclose the source. This raises questions about the origin and reliability of the mortgage data used, which comes from the FHFA's National Mortgage Database and the Enterprise Public Use Database.

The political implications are significant. Pulte is described by the White House as a key advisor to former President Trump, while Democrats have repeatedly questioned the appropriateness of his actions. Previous legal actions connected to his referrals, such as the dismissed indictment against James, highlight ongoing legal and procedural complexities.

This GAO review will determine whether federal processes and resources were appropriately used and may have lasting consequences for both the FHFA and the individuals involved.

Sources:

• GAO to investigate FHFA Director Bill Pulte's referrals to DOJ