The Justice Department, led by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, is reviewing how allies of former President Trump were involved in the probe of alleged mortgage fraud by Senator Adam Schiff. A Maryland grand jury subpoenaed Christine Bish for communications with Bill Pulte, associates of Ed Martin, and others. Investigators are examining whether unauthorized outside actors were enlisted in the inquiry, a finding that could weaken or derail the stalled case if misconduct is uncovered.
DOJ Opens Review of Trump Allies’ Role in Adam Schiff Mortgage Probe
The Justice Department, led by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, is reviewing how allies of former President Trump were involved in the probe of alleged mortgage fraud by Senator Adam Schiff. A Maryland grand jury subpoenaed Christine Bish for communications with Bill Pulte, associates of Ed Martin, and others. Investigators are examining whether unauthorized outside actors were enlisted in the inquiry, a finding that could weaken or derail the stalled case if misconduct is uncovered.
12:06 AM, 11/21/2025Politics
The Justice Department has launched a review into how two allies of former President Donald Trump were involved in the investigation of alleged mortgage fraud by Senator Adam Schiff, according to a copy of a subpoena and a person familiar with the matter. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office is overseeing the inquiry, which appears to have branched off from the broader federal probe into the allegations against Schiff.
A federal grand jury in Maryland issued a subpoena to Christine Bish, an associate of Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) chief Bill Pulte and a Republican congressional candidate in California. The subpoena seeks Bish’s communications with Pulte, people claiming to act on his behalf, and individuals asserting they worked for Ed Martin, who leads a Justice Department committee focused on alleged government "weaponization." It also requests messages involving Robert Bowes and Scott Strauss.
Bish told investigators that prosecutors appeared to be "more concerned" about whether there was "conspiracy or collusion between me and Pulte or me and Ed Martin."
Records and interviews indicate that Bowes, who describes himself as a financial-fraud specialist, contacted Bish independently of Maryland prosecutors or FBI agents. Strauss also reportedly asked Bish to send documents about Schiff to a private email address. Those contacts are part of what investigators are scrutinizing.
What the review is examining
Investigators are probing whether Pulte, Martin or others improperly enlisted unauthorized or outside actors to assist in pursuing mortgage-fraud allegations against Schiff and, possibly, other public figures. The inquiry will examine communications and coordination that might indicate collusion or inappropriate influence over a federal investigation.
Potential implications
Officials say the review could be a pre-emptive effort to identify and address procedural problems ahead of any indictment. At the same time, findings of misconduct by Pulte, Martin or their associates could seriously undermine the government’s case. Separate reporting indicates that prosecutors have struggled to produce sufficient evidence in the mortgage-related inquiry into Schiff.
Neither a lawyer for Senator Schiff nor Justice Department spokespeople commented on the review. Pulte has previously made criminal referrals alleging mortgage fraud by several public figures; those individuals deny wrongdoing. Pulte’s methods — including bypassing the FHFA inspector general and changes to ethics staff — have drawn scrutiny and are factors investigators are likely to consider.