WASHINGTON — Joe Biden’s election victory has likely ended the Trump administration’s efforts to return Fannie Mae
FNMA,
-16.42%
  and Freddie Mac
FMCC,
-15.24%
  to private hands.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin suggested in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that he is unlikely to support a legal move — called a consent order — to end the government conservatorships of the mortgage-finance companies before President Trump leaves office. His signoff would be required for any change in their legal status.