DOJ & FBI Probe Trump Officials Over Alleged Interference in Political Opponent Investigations
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are reportedly scrutinizing two high-ranking officials from the Trump administration for allegedly trying to meddle in ongoing criminal inquiries. These investigations, according to sources cited by ABC News, target political adversaries and opponents of the former president.
Key Officials Under Scrutiny
At the center of the probe are Ed Martin, the U.S. Pardon Attorney, and Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Both are suspected of bringing unauthorized individuals into investigations, specifically those involving mortgage fraud allegations against Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Evidence suggests that the inquiry into their conduct is intensifying, with at least one witness in the Schiff case having received a grand jury subpoena for communications exchanged with Martin’s associates and Pulte. Authorities are concerned that Martin may have disclosed confidential grand jury information related to the James investigation to unauthorized third parties. Furthermore, he is alleged to have collaborated with outsiders in reviewing potential evidence for both the Schiff and James cases. Such actions could represent a serious breach of DOJ protocols and potentially jeopardize the integrity of ongoing investigations.
Protocol Breaches and FBI Sidelined
Although Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Martin as a “special attorney” for mortgage fraud, sources indicate that his methods seemingly bypassed standard U.S. attorneys’ offices procedures and sidelined FBI agents assigned to these high-profile cases.
The alleged misconduct came to light following interviews with Christine Bish, a California realtor who initially raised concerns about Senator Schiff. Bish informed investigators that she had been repeatedly contacted by Robert Bowes, who claimed to be assisting Martin, and by private citizen Scott Strauss. Strauss reportedly requested documents via a personal email account, which Bish refused. Adding to the complex web, Pulte also contacted Bish in July, just days before then-President Trump publicly posted related content on social media, advocating for action against Schiff.
Broader Implications and Political Motives
ABC News further reports that Pulte has initiated criminal referrals involving James, Schiff, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. He is also said to have recently removed Fannie Mae officials who were investigating his access to mortgage records. A DOJ spokesperson, responding to the ongoing situation, stated, “Anonymous sources seeking to spin or influence ongoing processes do a disservice to the public and to the rule of law.”
Further details reveal that, under pressure from President Trump, a U.S. attorney appointed during his tenure allegedly pursued indictments against Attorney General James and former FBI Director James Comey. This occurred despite objections from career prosecutors, suggesting political motivations behind these legal actions. Meanwhile, investigators in Maryland continue to probe Senator Schiff regarding alleged mortgage fraud.
All three officials – Martin, Pulte, and the involved U.S. Attorney – have denied any wrongdoing. Comey and James have pleaded not guilty, with their defense teams maintaining that the cases are politically driven, arguing that the prosecutions would not have been initiated had their clients not been vocal critics of the former president. The allegations underscore significant questions about the independence and integrity of federal investigations during the Trump administration.
