It would be so tempting to think that they couldn't possibly be brazen enough to try this. But that would be to remain in denial.
And Fannie and Freddie now belong to the U.S. "government," not to the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, so that will definitely backfire on Democrats in November's congressional elections... which is possibly OK for Obama (Clinton scenario).
That could also be a trial balloon leak, to measure how this action would go over with people. My suspicion is, not well.
Whatever it takes to buy votes. “I hope he fails,” as Rush has said.