Overview

• FHFA director Bill Pulte referred cases alleging false primary‑residence claims by Lisa Cook, Letitia James and Adam Schiff, triggering Justice Department reviews led by special attorney Ed Martin.
• Trump cited the allegations as cause to remove Federal Reserve Governor Cook, who has sued to block her dismissal, with a court hearing held Friday on whether the move is lawful.
• Justice Department lawyers argued that contradictory mortgage statements justify removal from a senior financial post even absent charges, while Cook’s attorney Abbe Lowell said she was denied a chance to respond.
• Pulte said he filed a second referral for Cook over a third property designation, and Cook, James and Schiff deny wrongdoing with no indictments to date.
• Critics warn of selective enforcement given similar reporting about Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, while Pulte maintains his referrals are nonpartisan and federal mortgage‑fraud prosecutions remain uncommon.