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William J. (Bill) Pulte

William J. (Bill) Pulte

Director, Federal Housing Finance Agency; Chair of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Boards

Appears in 3 stories

Notable Quotes

In his swearing‑in statement, Pulte promised to usher in a 'Golden Age of housing and mortgage accessibility' focused on safety and soundness. ([fhfa.gov](https://www.fhfa.gov/news/news-release/william-j.-pulte-sworn-in-as-5th-director-of-u.s.-federal-housing-fhfa?utm_source=openai))

Pressed on his targeting of Trump’s critics, he told CNBC he would not explain 'sources and methods' and dismissed concerns about political weaponization. ([cnbc.com](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/04/pulte-fed-cook-mortgage-powell.html?utm_source=openai))

'The mortgages that we're underwriting are not like they were in 2008, and so we feel very confident in our liquidity position,' Pulte said on Fannie/Freddie risk concerns.[3]

Stories

Bill Pulte’s FHFA mortgage-fraud crusade faces watchdog scrutiny

Rule Changes

Under GAO investigation; directing GSE bond buys and privatization push amid ongoing fraud referral controversy

In early 2025, Trump appointed housing heir Bill Pulte as director of the FHFA, which oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and $8.5 trillion in mortgage credit. Within months, Pulte used mortgage data to publicly accuse NY AG Letitia James, Senator Adam Schiff, Fed Governor Lisa Cook, and Congressman Eric Swalwell of fraud, referring them to Justice amid concerns of political retribution.

Updated 7 days ago

Trump's assault on federal reserve independence

Rule Changes

Subject of GAO investigation into mortgage fraud referrals

No president has fired a sitting Federal Reserve governor in the central bank's 112-year history. Donald Trump is trying to be the first—and to replace the Fed chair with a loyalist. His August 2025 attempt to remove Governor Lisa Cook over unproven mortgage fraud allegations escalated into a Supreme Court showdown that exposed the fragility of Fed independence. In a striking January 21, 2026 hearing, all nine justices—including three Trump appointees—expressed skepticism about Trump's removal claims, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh warning the administration's position "would weaken, if not shatter, the independence of the Federal Reserve." Fed Chair Jerome Powell attended the arguments and later called the case "perhaps the most important legal case in the Fed's 113-year history." Nine days later, Trump nominated Kevin Warsh, a 55-year-old former Fed governor and longtime Trump ally, to replace Powell when his term expires in May 2026.

Updated Feb 5

Two GOP senators block Trump's Fed picks over Powell probe

Rule Changes

Key figure in pushing Trump to investigate Powell

No president has ever criminally investigated a sitting Federal Reserve chair. When Trump's Justice Department served Jerome Powell with grand jury subpoenas on January 11, two Republican senators announced they would block all Fed nominees until the probe ends. With a 13-11 GOP majority on the Banking Committee, even one defection creates a confirmation stalemate.

Updated Jan 28