Federal Investigators Question GOP Activist About Trump Officials' Role in Schiff Probe
Federal prosecutors spent more than an hour Thursday questioning California Republican activist Christina Bish about her contacts with Trump administration officials regarding their investigation into Senator Adam Schiff's mortgage dealings, according to Bish herself. The questioning appeared to focus on whether Justice Department official Ed Martin and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte used inappropriate tactics to launch probes of President Donald Trump's political adversaries.
The development raises new questions about the independence of federal investigations targeting prominent Democrats, including Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom have been accused of mortgage fraud by Pulte. Neither has been indicted, and both deny any wrongdoing.
Background and Context
The investigation centers on allegations that Schiff and others claimed multiple homes as primary residences in mortgage documents—a practice that can help buyers secure lower mortgage rates. Bill Pulte, appointed by Trump to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has been aggressively pursuing these claims, referring several cases to the Justice Department for prosecution.
The probe gained momentum in July when Trump posted on Truth Social that Fannie Mae's financial crimes division had found a "sustained pattern of possible Mortgage Fraud" by Schiff. The claim followed a confidential Fannie Mae memo about Schiff that had been shared with Pulte, according to an administration official.
Key Figures and Entities
Christina Bish, a real estate agent and GOP activist who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2024, told prosecutors she had been examining public records regarding Schiff's two homes for years. She submitted her findings to a tip line established by Pulte seeking evidence of mortgage fraud nationwide. In August, Bish promoted Pulte's call for tips on social media, writing: "I did and Schiff is now under federal investigation."
Ed Martin, a political appointee at the Justice Department, was named as a special prosecutor in the Schiff case. Bill Pulte, in an unprecedented move, made himself chairman of the boards of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage giants under government oversight since the 2008 financial crisis. Both are described as staunch Trump loyalists.
The subpoena also sought information about Bish's contacts with Scott Strauss, a former Justice Department prosecutor who was pushed out after attempting to launch investigations into baseless voter-fraud conspiracy theories related to the 2020 election, and Robert Bowes, a former banker and political appointee at HUD during Trump's first term.
Legal and Financial Mechanisms
Federal prosecutors appeared particularly interested in whether Martin and Pulte had divulged information about the ongoing criminal investigation to unauthorized individuals, according to a subpoena reviewed by The Washington Post. Federal guidelines prohibit Justice Department officials from speaking publicly about investigations or discussing grand jury matters to protect case integrity.
Bish received a subpoena demanding she provide any communications with people claiming to represent Pulte, his chief of staff, or anyone working at Martin's direction. The document also sought contact with officials from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Justice Department. Bish told prosecutors she had no direct contact with Martin or Pulte, though she spoke with Neil McCabe, who works closely with Martin at the Justice Department and previously worked as a reporter for a conservative news outlet covering Schiff allegations.
Justice Department officials have struggled to build a viable case against Schiff, unable to find sufficient evidence of intentional fraud, according to two people familiar with the matter. Legal experts note that proving mortgage fraud beyond a reasonable doubt requires demonstrating clear intent to deceive.
International Implications and Policy Response
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the politicization of federal law enforcement agencies under presidential pressure. The investigation into Schiff, who led impeachment proceedings against Trump during his first term, began shortly after Trump publicly accused him of mortgage fraud.
The unusual circumstances surrounding the probe—including Pulte's dual role as FHFA director and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—have raised questions about appropriate oversight mechanisms for independent federal investigations. Career prosecutors in the U.S. attorney's office in Maryland have been handling day-to-day developments, though Martin retains overall authority as special prosecutor.
The situation underscores broader tensions between political appointees and career law enforcement officials, particularly when investigations involve prominent political figures. Federal guidelines designed to protect investigative integrity appear to have been tested by public statements from both Trump and Pulte regarding the ongoing probe.
Sources
This report draws on interviews with Christina Bish as reported in The Washington Post, a copy of the federal subpoena reviewed by the newspaper, and information from individuals familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity. Additional context comes from public statements on Truth Social and established reporting on the roles of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under federal oversight.
