WASHINGTON – Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte declined to reveal the source of allegations that Federal reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook committed mortgage fraud during a CNBC interview Wednesday, instead shifting focus to the alleged crime itself.
“I think we’re worried about the wrong thing. There’s an alleged crime here. Why aren’t we talking about the crime? Why are we blaming the investigators?” Pulte said when pressed on the origin of the tip during the September 4th, 2025, appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box.
the Justice Department is currently investigating Pulte’s accusations that Cook improperly claimed multiple properties as her primary residence. Former President Trump has moved to fire Cook “for cause” in response,and has repeatedly called for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates,predicting he will soon have a “majority” on the Fed board. Cook has denied the allegations and is suing to block her removal.
Pulte asserted his actions were not politically motivated, stating, “We make referrals almost every day. Lisa cook happened to be one of them.” However, he has publicly criticized both Cook and Fed Chair Jerome Powell extensively on social media since bringing the allegations to light.
Notably, Pulte declined to comment on whether the FHFA was investigating similar claims against Texas attorney General Ken Paxton, who has reportedly claimed three properties as his primary residence.
Pulte abruptly canceled a planned news conference outside the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon, citing “respect for the process” in an X post. He offered no further description during the CNBC interview, saying, “I don’t want to say why I necessarily did” back out of the event.
