Trump's Mortgage Fraud Smears Boomerang on His Own Administration

Trump's Mortgage Fraud Smears Backfire on His Own Administration In a stunning reversal of fortunes, President Donald Trump's administration has launched investigations into allegations of mortgage fraud made against two high-profile Democrats, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook. The move marks a significant shift in the administration's stance on the issue, which had previously been used to smear opponents. According to sources within the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Trump appointee Bill Pulte played a key role in launching the investigations, which are focused on allegations that James and Cook improperly told banks about their primary residences. The move has sparked widespread criticism from Democrats and ethics experts, who argue that it is a clear case of hypocrisy. "It's a classic example of 'do as I say, not as I do,'" said one Democratic aide, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The administration is trying to deflect attention from its own questionable behavior by targeting others." James had previously accused Trump of committing mortgage fraud by lying to banks and insurance companies about the value of his properties. While Trump's lawyers argued that everyone engages in similar behavior and no bank ever lost money, the allegations were never fully denied. Now, with Trump out of office, it appears that he has changed his tune. The investigations into James and Cook are seen as a desperate attempt to distract from the administration's own scandals. "It's a clear case of 'projection,'" said ethics expert Richard Painter, who served as chief White House counsel under President George W. Bush. "The administration is trying to deflect attention from its own wrongdoing by accusing others." Background on the issue reveals that mortgage fraud is a serious offense, punishable by law. It involves making false statements or misrepresenting information to obtain a loan or other financial benefit. In 2020, James accused Trump of committing mortgage fraud by lying about the value of his properties in order to secure loans and insurance benefits. The allegations were never fully denied by Trump's lawyers, who argued that everyone engages in similar behavior. The investigations into James and Cook are seen as a significant development in the ongoing saga of mortgage fraud allegations against high-profile individuals. As the story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the administration will ultimately face consequences for its actions. Current Status: Investigations into James and Cook are ongoing Trump's administration has launched similar investigations into other Democrats, including California Sen. Adam Schiff Ethics experts and Democratic lawmakers have criticized the move as a clear case of hypocrisy Next Developments: The outcome of the investigations into James and Cook will likely be closely watched by the public and media outlets The implications of the administration's actions on the issue of mortgage fraud will continue to be debated by ethics experts and lawmakers *Reporting by Motherjones.*