FHFA Director Pulte's Criticisms of Fed Chair Powell Draw Scrutiny for Alignment with Trump's Stance

William Pulte, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has recently come under increased scrutiny for his public criticisms of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, with journalist James Surowiecki highlighting a pattern that appears to align with former President Donald Trump's political targets. Surowiecki, a respected journalist and author, underscored this observation in a recent tweet, stating, "> "We don't care who you are." It's just a huge coincidence that all the people Pulte calls out are people Trump wants to punish."

Pulte, a businessman and philanthropist known for his "Twitter philanthropy," was nominated by President-elect Trump in January 2025 to lead the FHFA and chair Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He has since utilized his federal position and significant social media presence to voice strong opinions. A notable instance includes his sharp criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Pulte has accused Powell of "conducting economic warfare against America" and called for an investigation into a $2.5 billion renovation of the Federal Reserve building, alleging it is "riddled with fraud." This public challenge from a high-ranking financial official has reportedly "rattled Washington and global markets," according to a New York Times report from July 2025.

The connection between Pulte's targets and Trump's political adversaries has drawn attention from commentators like Surowiecki, a former staff writer for The New Yorker known for his business and finance commentary. Surowiecki's observation suggests that Pulte's actions may not be isolated, but rather indicative of a broader ideological or political alignment. This perspective implies that Pulte's public statements could be interpreted as part of a coordinated effort to challenge figures perceived as obstacles to a particular political agenda.

Pulte's background and his appointment to a significant regulatory role within the U.S. financial system, coupled with his outspoken nature, position him as a key figure whose actions are closely watched for their potential impact on both financial markets and the political landscape. The ongoing debate surrounding his criticisms highlights the intersection of policy, social media influence, and political alignment in contemporary American governance.