The Government Accountability Office announced Thursday that it has opened an investigation into Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pruitt, who has served as an attack dog for President Donald Trump’s enemies.
The congressional watchdog investigation had been requested by a group of Senate Democrats, who had asked GAO to determine whether Pulte and other FHFA officials “misused the power and resources of the federal government” in pursuing information about President Trump’s targets.
“Specifically, we request an investigation into Secretary Pruitt’s recent referral of New York Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, Federal Reserve Board Chair Lisa Cook, and Congressman Eric Swalwell to the U.S. Department of Justice on suspicion of mortgage fraud,” Democrats wrote to GAO on Nov. 17.
“Despite repeatedly insisting that his investigation is bipartisan, Mr. Pulte’s public accusations appear to target only prominent Democrats and public officials, including those against whom President Trump has publicly threatened political and criminal retaliation,” Democrats wrote.
A GAO spokesperson told CNBC on Thursday: “We can confirm that GAO has accepted this request in accordance with our standard process.”
“When GAO begins any work, the first step is to determine the full scope of coverage and the methodology to be used,” the spokesperson said. “This could take several months and we cannot provide an estimate of completion date until that is complete.”
U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Administrator William Pelt attends his confirmation hearing at the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Swalwell, D-Calif., last week sued Mr. Pelt, accusing the FHFA chief of abusing his authority to make “fanciful” claims of mortgage fraud.
Mr. Swalwell’s lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges that Mr. Pulte improperly accessed and leaked the congressman’s personal mortgage records in retaliation for his political speech.
Swalwell said in a statement last week that “Secretary Pruitt has combed through his personal records in an effort to silence his political opponents.”
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