Bill Pulte, who runs the Federal Housing Finance Agency under President Donald Trump, confirmed Thursday that he filed a criminal referral against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook for alleged mortgage fraud.

The Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal has blasted Donald Trump for hounding Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook during his dispute with the U.S. central bank. The WSJ editorial board hit out at the “ominous turn in political lawfare” Wednesday after Bill Pulte,

Philadelphia Fed researchers in a 2023 report assessed the number of “fraudulent investors” in the mortgage market, which they defined as those who had more than one owner-occupied home purchase loan within four quarters after the first one was originated.

A top Justice Department official on Thursday called for the head of the Federal Reserve to remove an official from its board, the day after President Donald Trump also demanded action over allegations of mortgage fraud.

A Justice Department official is set to probe Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook after she was accused by a member of President Donald Trump’s administration of committing mortgage fraud, according to a letter sent Thursday to Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

The president’s efforts to control the Federal Reserve and Bureau of Labor Statistics carry risks. But collectively, the moves could be even more damaging, economists warn.

Bill Pulte’s net worth in 2025 reflects his long-standing success as a businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Known as the grandson of homebuilding pioneer William J. Pulte, Bill has carved his own path in finance and housing policy.