**Excerpt:** A temporary security detail has been requested for FHFA Director Bill Pulte following threats related to his calls for investigations into prominent political figures.
Key Points
– Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, received death threats after requesting investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James and others.
– The Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General is set to provide this protective detail.
– This unusual request stems from an increase in credible threats against Trump administration officials.
– The protective detail is expected to start within the next month and may last up to 90 days.
– The Government Accountability Office is also investigating Pulte’s actions as head of the housing agency.
Details of the Request
The Health and Human Services watchdog’s office has been requested to provide a temporary security detail for Bill Pulte, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). This request is notable as the FHFA is not part of the HHS department.
Context of Threats
Pulte reportedly received death threats after he urged the Justice Department to investigate New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud. Although a grand jury indicted James last fall, the charges were later dismissed by a federal judge who ruled that the U.S. attorney involved had been unlawfully appointed.
Increased Security Concerns
There has been a notable rise in threats against officials from the Trump administration, prompting requests for security details. Recently, Attorney General Pam Bondi relocated to a military base following threats, although the Justice Department declined to confirm the reasons behind this move.
Request Details
The request for a protective detail was made by FHFA Acting Inspector General Christian Schrank. Schrank, who was appointed in December, took over after the previous inspector general, Joe Allen, was removed shortly after attempting to provide information to prosecutors regarding the James case.
Protective Measures in Place
The HHS inspector general’s office has historically provided security details for various officials, including the HHS Secretary and other appointees. The protective detail for Pulte will involve two to three agents working in rotations over a 30-day period, with an anticipated start date in the coming weeks. The detail could continue for up to 90 days while the FHFA’s own security measures are established.
The request for enhanced security reflects ongoing concerns regarding the safety of officials involved in politically sensitive investigations, particularly in light of recent incidents involving threats to public officials.
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