Eric Swalwell files lawsuit claiming FHFA chief misused records to target Trump foes

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Eric Swalwell (D-Calif) filed a lawsuit against Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte, accusing the Trump appointee of "abusing his position" to target the president's political enemies.

The legal action came less than two weeks after Pulte formally referred Swalwell to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution over alleged mortgage fraud.

Swalwell, a fierce critic of President Donald Trump and who recently launched a bid for California governor, claimed the referral was a "calculated" attempt to derail his career.

Eric Swalwell accuses Bill Pulte of concocting allegations

In the 19-page complaint filed in US District Court, Swalwell alleged that Pulte improperly accessed his private mortgage records from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to "concoct fanciful allegations" against him.

The dispute centered on a property Swalwell owned in Washington, DC. Pulte's referral alleged that the congressman falsely claimed the DC home as his "primary residence" to secure better loan terms, despite representing California in the House.

Swalwell vehemently denied this, stating that he submitted a sworn affidavit clarifying that the home would be his wife's primary residence, not his own.

"Director Pulte had combed through private records of political opponents to silence them," Swalwell declared in a statement, framing the investigation as a violation of his privacy rights.

Bill Pulte defends crackdown on 'mortgage fraud'

Director Pulte, a businessman and philanthropist appointed by Trump to lead the housing agency, stood by his aggressive approach to rooting out financial irregularities.

While Swalwell claimed he was being singled out, Pulte maintained that his agency's actions were about upholding the law, regardless of a person's status.

"When someone commits mortgage fraud, they undermine the faith and integrity of our System. It does not matter who you are – no one is above the law," Pulte wrote in a recent social media post defending his agency's work.

Alleged pattern of referrals against Trump critics

Swalwell was not the only high-profile Democrat to face scrutiny from the FHFA.

Pulte allegedly issued similar criminal referrals against other vocal Trump critics, including Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif), New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

While James saw a related indictment dismissed on procedural grounds earlier this week, the investigations have undoubtedly increased pressure on the president's adversaries.

Swalwell's lawsuit sought unspecified damages and a court order forcing Pulte to withdraw the criminal referral, arguing that the "brazen practice" of digging into lawmakers' financial history is "unprecedented and unlawful."