DOJ, FBI probe top Trump admin officials over alleged case interference; political motives in question

The US Department of Justice is reportedly investigating two senior Trump administration officials for allegedly attempting to influence criminal investigations involving the president’s political opponents and adversaries, according to sources cited by ABC news.

US Pardon Attorney Ed Martin and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte are reportedly under scrutiny from the DOJ and FBI for involving outside individuals in probes related to mortgage fraud allegations against Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. At least one witness in the Schiff case has received a grand jury subpoena to provide communications with Martin’s associates and Pulte, sources said.


Officials allege that Martin may have shared sensitive grand jury information in the James investigation with unauthorized parties and worked with outsiders to review potential evidence in both the Schiff and James cases. Sources said such actions could breach DOJ protocols and risk compromising ongoing investigations. Though Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Martin as a “special attorney” for mortgage fraud, sources noted that his conduct reportedly bypassed the U.S. attorneys’ offices and sidelined FBI agents assigned to the cases.

The situation came to light when FBI agents attempted to interview Christine Bish, a California realtor who initially raised concerns about Schiff. Bish told investigators she had been contacted multiple times by Robert Bowes, who said he was assisting Martin, as well as by private citizen Scott Strauss, who requested documents through a personal email account, which she declined. Pulte also reached out to Bish in July, just days before President Trump posted related materials on social media, urging action against Schiff.

According to ABC News, Pulte has also issued criminal referrals involving James, Schiff, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and recently removed Fannie Mae officials who were investigating his access to mortgage records, sources said. A DOJ spokesperson said, “Anonymous sources seeking to spin or influence ongoing processes do a disservice to the public and to the rule of law.”

Also read | US magistrate judge orders grand jury files to former FBI director Comey; rebukes DOJ for flawed probe

Sources further indicated that, following pressure from President Trump, a U.S. attorney appointed during his administration pursued indictments against James and former FBI Director James Comey, despite objections from career prosecutors. Investigators in Maryland continue to examine Schiff for alleged mortgage fraud.

All three officials have denied the allegations. Comey and James pleaded not guilty, while their defense teams have argued the cases are politically motivated, claiming the prosecutions would not have been initiated if their clients were not outspoken critics of the president higlighting that The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly investigating two senior Trump administration officials for allegedly attempting to influence criminal investigations involving the president’s political opponents, according to sources cited by ABC news.