A federal lawsuit filed by U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell accuses the Trump administration's top housing regulator of abusing his position to misuse private mortgage records belonging to Swalwell and other Democratic critics of the Republican president. Swalwell sued Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte on Tuesday — less than two weeks after Pulte formally referred the California Democrat to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution on mortgage fraud charges. Swalwell is seeking a court order for Pulte and his agency to withdraw the criminal referral. Pulte didn't immediately respond to a text message and telephone call seeking comment on the lawsuit.
By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, ERIC TUCKER and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press
Attorney General Pam Bondi has repeatedly deflected questions while seeking to defend herself during a combative congressional hearing in the face of growing criticism that she's turning the law enforcement agency into a weapon to seek vengeance against President Donald Trump's political opponents. Democrats sought to use Tuesday's hearing to warn of what they view as the politicization of a department that has long prided itself on remaining independent from the White House. The hearing comes on the heels of the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, which has deepened concerns about the politicization of the department.
Former Democratic U.S. House member Katie Porter is entering the crowded 2026 contest for California governor. Porter became a social media celebrity by brandishing a white board at congressional hearings. She says in a campaign video that she will be an aggressive counterpuncher to President Donald Trump's administration at a time of friction with the White House. Current Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom can't seek another term. Former Vice President Kamala Harris has not ruled out a run. A candidacy by Harris would scramble the field. Porter has indicated she would not run against her.
The Senate has narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as as President Donald Trump's FBI director. The 51-49 vote Thursday puts the Trump loyalist atop the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency despite Democrats' doubts about his qualifications and concerns he'll do Trump's bidding and go after the Republican president's adversaries. Patel has fiercely criticized an agency that's now gripped by turmoil. Trump's Justice Department has forced out a group of senior FBI officials and made a highly unusual demand for the names of thousands of agents who participated in investigations related to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
