Exclusive: Congressional watchdog to probe behavior of Trump official

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 The Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigative branch of the U.S. Congress, announced plans this week to review whether Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte misused his role and government resources to target individuals viewed as opponents of former President Donald Trump, according to a letter obtained by Reuters.

The inquiry follows a November appeal from eight Democratic senators requesting a swift investigation into whether Pulte's referrals of prominent Democrats and public officials to the Justice Department were politically motivated or involved improper use of federal resources.

GAO accepts your request as work that is within the scope of its authority, wrote A. Nicole Clowers, a GAO managing director, in a letter to the senators on Monday. A GAO representative confirmed the investigation on Thursday, noting that no specific timeline has been established. The FHFA declined to comment.

White House spokesperson Steven Cheung defended Pulte, stating that he is one of the Presidents most loyal and important advisors who is doing a great job.

As head of the FHFA, which regulates aspects of the mortgage market, Pulte has publicly accused officials deemed adversaries by the Trump administration of mortgage fraud. Targets have included New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. However, recent court decisions and prosecutorial reviews have challenged his claims. Last month, a federal judge dismissed criminal charges against James stemming from Pultes referral, and federal prosecutors in Maryland are reviewing Pultes actions regarding Senator Adam Schiff, another accused figure. All have denied wrongdoing.

The senators who requested the GAO probe include Elizabeth Warren, ranking Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, and Dick Durbin, ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. Warren criticized Pulte, saying, Instead of addressing soaring housing costs, Bill Pulte is weaponizing his role against Trumps perceived political enemies. He must be held accountable.

The lawmakers referenced prior reporting that highlighted Pultes bypassing of the FHFAs inspector general when making criminal referrals, a step designed to prevent political misuse of power. Last month, Reuters reported that the White House removed that inspector general. GAO stated it will coordinate with the FHFAs acting inspector general to avoid overlapping efforts. The inspector generals office did not respond to requests for comment.

Analysis: The GAO's Investigation into Bill Pulte's Actions

The recent announcement by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding its investigation into Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte is a significant development. This investigation stems from allegations that Pulte misused his position and federal resources for politically motivated actions, targeting perceived opponents of former President Donald Trump. The investigation follows a request from eight Democratic senators who have raised concerns about Pulte's actions, particularly his referrals of prominent Democrats to the Justice Department.

The inquiry, which is still in its early stages, will focus on whether Pulte's actions were politically motivated or if they involved improper use of government power. While the GAO has confirmed it will review these allegations, no specific timeline for the completion of the investigation has been set. This lack of clarity could leave room for uncertainty surrounding the scope and speed of the process.

It is important to note that these allegations are not entirely new. In the past, Pulte has accused individuals such as New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook of mortgage fraud. However, recent developments, such as a federal judge dismissing charges against James and ongoing reviews of Pulte’s actions concerning Senator Adam Schiff, have raised questions about the validity of his claims. Additionally, Pulte's bypassing of the FHFA’s inspector general when making referrals has drawn significant criticism. The GAO’s involvement now seeks to ensure that these allegations are thoroughly investigated and that political influence has not tainted the actions of a high-ranking government official.

While the White House has defended Pulte, stating that he is a loyal advisor doing a great job, the investigation will likely continue to draw scrutiny, especially given the ongoing partisan divisions in Washington. For the time being, the GAO's involvement is crucial for maintaining oversight of federal agencies and ensuring that public officials act within the boundaries of their responsibilities and avoid abusing their power for political purposes.

Sources:

• Exclusive-Congressional watchdog will investigate Trump official’s conduct

Author: Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a journalist covering culture, art, and literature. She is known for her creative approach and ability to produce in-depth features and interviews.