Federal Housing Official Requests Protective Detail After Probes

Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has requested a temporary security detail from the Health and Human Services Inspector General's office.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:51pm

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The Health and Human Services watchdog's office has been asked to provide a temporary security detail for Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, sources with direct knowledge of the request tell CBS News. Pulte received death threats after he asked the Justice Department to investigate New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud. The request for the security detail from the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General is unusual because Pulte's federal agency is not part of the department.

Why it matters

Credible threats against government officials have been on the rise, prompting more and more officials to seek security details. This case highlights the growing concerns about the safety of public servants, especially those who have taken actions that may be controversial or unpopular.

The details

The request for Pulte's security detail was made by FHFA Acting Inspector General Christian Schrank, who until December worked as the deputy inspector general for investigations at the health department. Schrank was installed in December, about a month after the White House removed the housing agency's then-acting inspector general, Joe Allen. The Government Accountability Office is also probing Pulte's actions as head of the housing agency, including his referrals of New York Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and Rep. Eric Swalwell to the Justice Department for mortgage fraud.

  • Pulte received death threats after he asked the Justice Department to investigate New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud.
  • Schrank was installed as FHFA Acting Inspector General in December, about a month after the White House removed the housing agency's then-acting inspector general, Joe Allen.

The players

Bill Pulte

The director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency who has requested a temporary security detail from the Health and Human Services Inspector General's office after receiving death threats.

Christian Schrank

The FHFA Acting Inspector General who made the request for Pulte's security detail. Schrank previously worked as the deputy inspector general for investigations at the Health Department.

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General who Pulte asked the Justice Department to investigate for mortgage fraud.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.