In a recent twist, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche completely debunked a report from MSNBC regarding the investigation into Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), effectively shutting down any narrative that might have been growing around the potential mortgage fraud case against him.
The story began earlier this year when the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) made a criminal referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ), raising questions about alleged mortgage fraud involving Schiff. Schiff, never one to back down from controversy, quickly responded with a video where he claimed he was being politically targeted by former President Donald Trump.
The case seemed to take a new turn when MSNBC reported that U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes, who had been overseeing the investigation into Schiff, had met with Todd Blanche and communicated her doubts about the strength of the case. According to their sources, Hayes expressed that the evidence wasn’t strong enough to justify pursuing charges. However, a Justice Department official, Ed Martin, was allegedly pushing to keep the case alive.
Naturally, the left seized on this as another potential scandal, claiming that Schiff was the victim of a politically motivated investigation. The narrative gained traction with statements from Schiff’s lawyer, former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who echoed the claim that the case was baseless and politically motivated.
But Blanche wasn’t having it. In an unexpected move, he directly challenged the report. He denied the existence of the meeting between Hayes and himself, stating, “Can you ask your two 'sources' for more info? I’m genuinely curious. Excited to hear more about this made-up meeting!” Blanche also confirmed unequivocally, “U.S. Attorney Hayes has told me no such thing.”
Blanche’s response immediately deflated the momentum that the report had gained, leaving MSNBC’s sources to scramble. Even in the original NBC article, there was a note that the investigation into Schiff was still ongoing, making it clear that any premature conclusions were jumping the gun.
So, much for the left’s hopes of turning this into a scandal. While they might have seen an opening, Blanche’s swift rebuttal and the ongoing nature of the investigation put a quick end to the story. It looks like Schiff’s critics may have to wait a bit longer for this particular drama to unfold.
