Exclusive-Democratic senators request GAO probe of Trump official's conduct in criminal referrals

By Marisa Taylor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Eight Democratic U.S. senators on Monday asked a congressional watchdog to “promptly” investigate whether Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte misused his authority by making criminal referrals against perceived opponents of President Donald Trump.

In a letter sent Monday to the Government Accountability Office, the senators expressed concerns that Pulte’s referrals of prominent Democrats and public officials to the Justice Department were motivated by partisan politics and constituted a misuse of government resources.

“Mr. Pulte’s public accusations appear to have solely targeted prominent Democrats and public officials, including those President Trump has publicly threatened with political and criminal retribution,” the senators wro