President Donald Trump's Oct. 22 executive order on homeownership is drawing criticism from two Washington Examiner opinion writers, who say it focuses on refinance loans and transaction costs rather than the core problem of high home prices.
Writing in the Washington Examiner, Arthur Gailes and Edward Pinto say the executive order, which Trump issued to restore what it calls "The American dream of homeownership … as a vital pillar of our great Nation," has the right goal but misses the mark on policy.
The authors describe the order as a collection of small-scale initiatives, most of which aim to reduce mortgage financing and transaction costs, largely for refinance loans rather than home purchases. In their view, these steps do little to address the actual problem: homes are too expensive.
The opinion piece does not report any response from the White House or administration officials to the criticism.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The executive order signals the administration's focus on homeownership, but the authors argue its measures mostly target refinancing rather than making homes more affordable to buy.
- Housing costs remain a central concern for American families, and the debate over this order is part of a broader policy discussion about access to homeownership.
- The critique offers an early test of whether the administration's housing approach will be seen as addressing the root causes of affordability.
Background
Presidential executive orders can direct federal agencies to take action on policy priorities, and housing affordability has been a long-running issue in US politics. In this case, the executive order was issued Oct. 22, and the source article is an opinion response by Arthur Gailes and Edward Pinto published in the Washington Examiner.
What to Watch
- Whether the administration follows the order with measures aimed directly at reducing home purchase prices.
- Whether future housing policy shifts from refinance-related cost reductions toward the kind of starter-home construction the article's headline points to.
Checked
7 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 4 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe executive order’s stated aim is “The American dream of homeownership … as a vital pillar of our great Nation.”Washington Examiner: “On Oct. 22, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to restore “The American dream of homeownership … as a vital pillar of our great Nation.””
- Not in the sourcesArthur Gailes and Edward Pinto are two Washington Examiner opinion writers criticizing the order.Washington Examiner: “The president has the right goal, but is missing the mark on policy.”
- SupportedThe Washington Examiner piece says the order has the right goal but misses the mark on policy.Washington Examiner: “The president has the right goal, but is missing the mark on policy.”
- SupportedThe order does little to address high home prices.Washington Examiner: “These do little to address the actual problem: homes are too expensive.”
- Partly supportedThe order is a collection of small-scale measures focused on refinancing.Washington Examiner: “The executive order is a grab bag of small-ball initiatives, most of which aim to reduce mortgage financing and transaction costs, largely for refinance loans rather than home purchases.”
- SupportedTrump issued the executive order on Oct. 22.Washington Examiner: “On Oct. 22, President Donald Trump issued an executive order”
- Not in the sourcesThe opinion piece reports no response from the White House or administration officials to the criticism.Washington Examiner