GAO opens probe into FHFA Director Pulte
The Government Accountability Office has opened a probe into Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte after top Senate Democrats asked the watchdog to examine whether he misused his authority by referring Letitia James, Adam Schiff, Lisa Cook and Eric Swalwell to the Justice Department for alleged mortgage fraud. A GAO spokesperson confirmed the request was accepted and the agency is beginning to determine scope and methodology, while the FHFA declined to comment.
đ Key Facts
- Top Senate Democrats asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine whether FHFA Director Bill Pulte misused his authority by referring four people to the Department of Justice for alleged mortgage fraud.
- The four individuals Pulte referred to DOJ are Letitia James, Adam Schiff, Lisa Cook and Eric Swalwell.
- A GAO spokesperson confirmed to CBS that the request was accepted and that GAO is beginning to determine the probe's scope and methodology.
- The matter is being reported as a congressional watchdog probe into Trump-era housing finance chief Bill Pulte.
- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) declined to comment to CBS on the matter.
- The reporting (source: CBS News Facebook post titled "Congressional watchdog opens probe into Trump housing finance head Bill Pulte") was published on 2025-12-04.
đ Relevant Data
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the homeownership rate among non-Hispanic White Americans was 73.8%, Asian Americans 63%, Hispanic Americans 49.8%, and Black Americans 45.9%.
Homeownership Rates by Race and Ethnicity â Eye On Housing
As of 2023, the US population is composed of approximately 61.6% non-Hispanic White, 18.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Black, and 6.3% Asian.
Demographics of the United States â Wikipedia
For a $400,000 loan at 6.5% fixed annual percentage rate, a 50-year mortgage would have a monthly payment of $2,255 and total interest paid of $953,000, compared to a 30-year mortgage with a monthly payment of $2,528 and total interest paid of $510,000.
On The Money: Would a 50-year mortgage make homeownership easier â or riskier? â Reuters
đ° Sources (2)
- Top Senate Democrats requested GAO examine whether FHFA Director Bill Pulte misused authority in referring Letitia James, Adam Schiff, Lisa Cook, and Eric Swalwell to DOJ for mortgage fraud.
- GAO spokesperson confirmed to CBS that the request was accepted and that GAO is beginning to determine scope and methodology.
- FHFA declined to comment in response to CBS.