Bill Pulte is director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and pledged to strengthen the housing finance system. Since taking the role, he has targeted President Donald Trump’s political opponents by using property records to allege mortgage fraud and encourage criminal investigations. Allegations publicized by Pulte prompted Trump to try to remove Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook, with claims that Cook designated two homes as primary residences to obtain better mortgage rates; Cook plans to fight her removal. Pulte has promoted the president on social media and accused Democrats including Adam Schiff and Letitia James. He oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in conservatorship since the Great Recession.
When Bill Pulte was nominated as the country's top housing regulator, he told senators that his "number one mission will be to strengthen and safeguard the housing finance system." But since he started the job, he's distinguished himself by targeting President Donald Trump 's political enemies. He's using property records to make accusations of mortgage fraud and encourage criminal investigations, wielding an obscure position to serve as a presidential enforcer.
This week, Trump used allegations publicized by Pulte in an attempt to fire Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve board, as he tries to exert more control over the traditionally independent central bank. Pulte claims that Cook designated two homes as her primary residence to get more favorable mortgage rates. Cook plans to fight her removal, laying the groundwork for a legal battle that could reshape a cornerstone institution in the American economy.
Trump said Tuesday that Cook "seems to have had an infraction, and you can't have an infraction," adding that he has "some very good people" in mind to replace her. Pulte has cheered on the president's campaign with a Trumpian flourish. "Fraud will not be tolerated in President Trump's housing market," he wrote on social media. "Thank you for your attention to this matter."
Collection
[
|
...
]