Top Democratic lawmakers called on Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte to resign after the agency cut funding for its inspector general, which the watchdog said would sharply reduce staffing and end most investigations. The FHFA, which oversees mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, said it was bringing the office’s resources more in line with those of peer agencies. Acting Principal Deputy Inspector General James Hodge told lawmakers that the cuts would reduce the office’s annual budget to $20 million, 64% below the budget the White House submitted to Congress, and require a 70%-80% staff reduction. The dispute follows Pulte’s ouster of the acting inspector general and his referrals alleging potential mortgage fraud by several political opponents of President Donald Trump.