Swalwell sues Trump official over referral for alleged mortgage fraud
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Rep. Eric Swalwell at the U.S. Capitol in September. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) alleged in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that the Trump administration's top housing regulator, Bill Pulte, "abused his position" when he moved to refer him to the Justice Department over mortgage fraud allegations.
The big picture: Swalwell's lawsuit notes there's been "a series of high-profile criminal investigations and prosecutions nakedly targeting" some of President Trump's "most outspoken critics" since he retook office.
- Swalwell is one of several Democrats to face a DOJ referral for alleged mortgage fraud, which he denies.
- He's running for governor of California and accuses Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Pulte of playing "an integral role in supporting President Trump's campaign of retribution against his political foes."
Driving the news: The suit that was filed in the U.S. District Court in D.C. accused Pulte of violating the Privacy Act and First Amendment by allegedly using government databases to "concoct fanciful allegations of mortgage fraud" against him.
- Swalwell is seeking damages and asking the court to declare Pulte's actions unlawful and force the referral to be withdrawn.
The latest: On Wednesday the case was assigned to U.S. District Judge James Boasberg.
- Boasberg was the target of an impeachment effort by Trump and House Republicans earlier this year after he ruled against the Trump administration's deportation of alleged gang members.
What they're saying: "Since taking office, President Trump has engaged in unprecedented efforts to leverage the power of the Federal Government to seek retribution against his political enemies," the suit says.
- Swalwell alleged Pulte's actions "represent a purposeful attack on core democratic norms and reflect a base desire to achieve exactly what the First Amendment and the Privacy Act exist to prevent: the use of government machinery to chill and silence the government's critics."
- Representatives for FHFA did not immediately respond to Axios' Tuesday evening request for comment.
More from Axios:
- Senate Democrats urge watchdog to probe Trump official's criminal referrals
- Justice Department investigating own handling of Adam Schiff probe: reports
Editor's note: This story has been updated with the case's assignment to Boasberg.
