'He's a nut': GOP lawmakers say this Trump official 'too big for his britches'

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U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a meeting with players of the Juventus soccer team in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Top Republicans on Capitol Hill are reportedly fed up with William Pulte, the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). “I think he’s a nut,” one House Republican told Politico, according to a report published Tuesday.

The report noted that Pulte, once a little-known regulator, has become a central and controversial figure in President Donald Trump’s fiery campaign against the Federal Reserve. His social media-fueled attacks on Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Governor Lisa Cook, among others, have made him a provocateur.

But his antics are wearing thin. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly snapped at him during a recent Washington dinner, threatening to punch Pulte in the face. According to the report, some in the GOP quietly applaud this reaction from Bessent.

Another GOP lawmaker, serving on the House Financial Services Committee, voiced a similar frustration, per the report.

“The guy’s just a little too big for his britches.” That lawmaker also expressed admiration for Bessent’s willingness to push back.

In response, the FHFA told Politico: “Lobbyists’ anonymous sources will not deter Director Pulte from working with the entire administration to ensure a competitive, safe, and sound mortgage market.”

Beyond tempers, Pulte’s actions are raising real policy concerns. He launched the mortgage fraud allegations against Cook that Trump later used as grounds for firing her. He’s also relentlessly criticized Powell over both monetary policy and the costly renovation of the Fed’s headquarters.

Meanwhile, Bessent looks increasingly like the steady hand some Republicans on the Hill crave, per the report. One lawmaker told the outlet: “I would have done the same,” referring to Bessent’s response to Pulte’s behavior.

Another called him “the adult in the room,” someone business leaders can trust to maintain market stability and predictability.

Still, Pulte retains the loyalty of Trump-aligned hardliners. “I think he’s doing a great job,” said Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.). Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) added that Pulte is “doing a good job exposing some of the stuff around these mortgage [applications],” even if he isn’t fully tuned into all FHFA happenings.

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