US Attorney General Pam Bondi has forcefully pushed back against recent media reports claiming that the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation into Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), calling the allegations “fake news” and insisting no such probe exists.
The denial comes after a Nov. 20 report by ABC News alleged that the DOJ, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), had opened an inquiry into Pulte over potential misconduct related to criminal investigations targeting individuals described as political opponents of former President Donald Trump. The ABC News report cited unnamed “sources familiar with the matter,” a detail that has fueled debate and skepticism across political and legal circles.
According to the report, investigators were examining whether Pulte and U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin improperly relied on individuals outside the DOJ to investigate alleged mortgage fraud. These allegations reportedly arose amid ongoing criminal inquiries involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Senator Adam Schiff.
Pulte had previously issued criminal referrals against James and Schiff, accusing them of mortgage fraud. He also made similar referrals involving Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and California Representative Eric Swalwell. These actions drew internal concern, particularly from watchdogs within Fannie Mae, who reportedly questioned Pulte’s demands for mortgage records used in support of the referrals. Those employees were later terminated, further intensifying scrutiny surrounding Pulte’s conduct.
On Monday, Bondi addressed the controversy directly on social media platform X, stating unequivocally: “Fake news. There is no investigation into Bill Pulte.” Pulte quickly amplified the message by reposting it on his personal X account, signaling alignment with the attorney general’s position.
However, Bondi’s response has raised new questions of its own. Critics and observers have noted that nearly three weeks passed between ABC News’ initial report and Bondi’s public denial, prompting speculation over why the clarification did not come sooner. The DOJ has not offered additional details explaining the timing of the statement.
While Bondi has denied the existence of a DOJ or FBI investigation, Pulte is not entirely free from oversight. He remains under investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, congressionally mandated watchdog agency. The scope and status of that investigation have not been fully disclosed.
As tensions continue to rise, the dispute highlights the growing friction between federal agencies, media organizations, and political figures, underscoring broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and the role of anonymous sources in high-profile reporting. Whether further clarification will emerge from the DOJ or Congress remains to be seen, but the controversy surrounding Bill Pulte shows no sign of fading from the national spotlight.
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