Bill Pulte, FHFA Director, created quite a stir recently when he cut through the CNBC noise on “Squawk Box.” He talked about a very very shady tip alleging mortgage fraud connected to Lisa Cook. That interview, which aired September 4, 2025, was conducted by the preeminent financial journalist of his career, Andrew Sorkin.
During the segment, Sorkin suggested that revealing the identity of the tipster could assist Pulte in clarifying his actions concerning the ongoing investigation. In order to achieve this public trust, he noted, the agency could have greater transparency in its operations.
Pulte, firmly disagreed with Sorkin’s assessment. He claimed he would be able to justify his decisions without third-party input.
“I don’t need you to help me explain things, Andrew.” – Bill Pulte
The ensuing discussion raised some very interesting questions regarding the significance of the original tip that led Pulte to Cook. This new disclosure has set off a firestorm of outrage. Pulte maintained that disclosing the tipster’s identity would be impractical and unsafe. “It would be irresponsible for me to do that,” he declared.
As a member of the FHFA, Pulte will help make critical decisions that shape the country’s housing finance system. His comments on CNBC indicate a determination to navigate the complexities surrounding the investigation independently.
The back-and-forth between Sorkin and Pulte represents bigger worries on Wall Street about accountability and disclosure in government. Mortgage Fraud Investigations Under Obama Prodding Along at Best Every stakeholder should be looking closely to see how Pulte and the FHFA will address these delicate matters.