Eric Swalwell Sues FHFA Chief Bill Pulte Over Alleged Retaliation
Washington, Nov 28 — California Congressman Eric Swalwell has hit back at Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte, filing a federal lawsuit after being referred to the Justice Department for a potential criminal probe. The move comes amid allegations that Pulte, a known Trump ally, has targeted Democratic politicians in a broader partisan strategy.
Swalwell’s suit, filed in Federal District Court in Washington, claims that Pulte violated federal privacy laws by using government databases to selectively dig up mortgage records to accuse prominent Democrats of wrongdoing. The congressman’s 19-page complaint argues that Pulte “abused his position” to fabricate allegations and weaponize them against political opponents.
“Director Pulte has combed through private records of political opponents. To silence them. There’s a reason the First Amendment — the freedom of speech — comes before all others,” Swalwell said in a statement. The lawsuit asks a federal judge to declare Pulte’s actions illegal and to order the FHFA to withdraw the criminal referral.
Pulte, who has previously targeted figures like New York Attorney General Letitia James, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, added Swalwell to the list last week. The referral was viewed by many as a politically motivated attack rather than a legitimate law enforcement action.
Swalwell, who recently launched a gubernatorial campaign in California, maintains that he has done nothing wrong and is now turning the tables on his accuser. Legal experts note that the case could have wide-reaching implications for the use of federal agencies in partisan politics.
“This lawsuit is about holding government officials accountable for abusing their power to intimidate and retaliate against political opponents,” Swalwell’s attorneys said.
The case is expected to draw national attention as a test of limits on federal agency authority and political accountability.
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