Exclusive: Trump appointee inspired by conservative media outlet to push for probe of Democratic congressman

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

December 20, 2025 1:39 PM EST Updated 3 hours ago


NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - A mortgage fraud probe of a Democratic congressman began last month after William Pulte, the Republican head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, referred allegations from a conservative news site to his agency’s inspector general for possible criminal investigation, government emails seen by Reuters show.

On November 12, The Gateway Pundit published an article alleging U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell had improperly listed his Washington, D.C., home as his “principal residence” on mortgage paperwork. Swalwell, a critic of President Donald Trump who represents a Northern California district and is now running for governor of California, an office that requires residency in that state, has said he is a permanent resident of California. According to loan documents, however, Swalwell had listed his home in Washington as his "principal residence."

An email reviewed by Reuters shows Pulte sent a link to the article to the FHFA’s acting inspector general that day, urging him to take all appropriate action "including - if warranted -engagement with the Department of Justice regarding potential mortgage, tax or other fraud related to the representations made in mortgage documents or other items in the below article."

That same day, Pulte also referred the issue to the Justice Department, said a source familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The FHFA and Pulte did not respond to requests for comment. Pulte has previously defended the initiative, saying mortgage fraud undermines the U.S. housing market.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/trump-appointee-inspired-by-conservative-media-outlet-push-probe-democratic-2025-12-20/

[Initech]

1. Um... fuck this POS and who cares what he thinks?

I'm tired of the screaming MAGA toddlers getting their way. Someone has to tell them NO.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Pulte belongs in jail

for committing the very crime that he was tasked to accuse others of committing.

[graycampervan]

5. Pulte belongs in jail

The redisticting is a flop so they'll try and pick some dems off this way.

[Initech]

7. The words "Trump appointee" already tells me everything I need to know!

[Buddyzbuddy]

3. Just some add'l information from a retired Realtor.

These signed loan documents that are being used to establish a crime has been committed are sworn truths at the time of signature. It's possible to have more than one home purchase application that states
"Owner occupant" as the intent at the time of purchase. It doesn't mean you can't make a future purchase and not have the same intent. Just not at the same time nor before you actually lived in the property. Nor is it a requirement of all signatories of the loan such as a co-signor. These are not the only exceptions just the most common reasons why one might have multiple properties with signed sworn statements for each loan.

[AZJonnie]

4. Nevermind that probably 75% of congresspeople and Senators do this exact thing.

You keep a home back in your home state/district where your family lives (because this is mostly required), but you also buy a place near the Capitol that is also yours, because you're physically there so much of the time.

I would be very surprised if Swalwell didn't research the applicable laws and comply with them perfectly. And if he didn't, a metric shit-ton of people in Congress are guilty of the exact same thing, guaranteed.

IOW another obviously politically-motivated investigation ordered by the blighted Mango Mussolini

This shit needs to fucking END

[NotHardly]

6. Sad use of the word "inspired" by creepoids

[Grins]

8. Gateway Pundit. Owned by Jim HOFT, aka, "Stupidest Man on the Internet"

You can look it up!!!

Google “Stupidest Man on the Internet” and you’ll see!*

Gateway Pundit was sued in 2021 by Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea “Shaye” Moss after Hoft accused them of committing voter fraud on behalf of Joe Biden during the counting of votes on election night in 2020.

Facing bankruptcy, HOFT shut his shitty site down.

It was settled out of court in October 2024. Terms not disclosed.

So he’s now back…. I wonder what Reich-wing group financed his resurrection?

* Also “dumbest.”