GREENBELT, Md. —A federal grand jury is investigating the handling of the Justice Department’s criminal investigation into Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff, according to a law enforcement source and a subpoena to a witness requesting information about her communications with individuals purporting to be involved in the probe.
The subpoena obtained by NBC News was sent to conservative activist Christine Bish, who testified before the grand jury Thursday. It asked for any records Bish has from anyone “claiming to be William Pulte,” the Trump administration’s director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as well as anyone claiming to work for him, including as his chief of staff.
The subpoena also requested any communications or documentation Bish has from “anyone claiming to be acting at the direction or request of Edward Martin,” who is the Justice Department’s self-described “weaponization czar.”
A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined to comment, citing the secrecy of grand jury investigations.
Schiff’s office also declined to comment.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte outside the White House on Sept. 2.Mark Schiefelbein / AP
It is unclear if the grand jury investigation is specifically into any of the individuals named in the subpoena, including Pulte and Martin.
The subpoena sent to Bish specifically cited records pertaining to “the investigation into Senator Adam Schiff.” In addition to seeking information about anyone purporting to be or work for Pulte or Martin, the subpoena also requested communication and documentation on anyone “claiming to be working for or at the direction of” the Justice Department, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, including Robert Bowes or Scott Strauss.
The subpoena was signed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Sarma in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
Interim U.S.Aattorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin speaks during a press conference on May 13, in Washington, D.C.Craig Hudson For The Washington Post via Getty Images
Bish told NBC News at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt on Thursday that this is not her first time speaking with investigators about this topic, saying she told them in a previous interview much of what she said they discussed Thursday.
Bish is running for Congress in California’s 6th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Democrat Ami Bera.
NBC News reported last month that the federal mortgage fraud investigation into Schiff had stalled.
One of the president’s chief political foes, Schiff served as the lead impeachment manager in the House during Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2020. He has denied any wrongdoing in response to the Trump administration’s investigation into mortgage fraud allegations.
The probe has been going on since at least the summer. NBC News reported in August that Attorney General Pam Bondi tapped Martin to probe the allegations against Schiff.
Martin, whom Bondi described as a “special attorney,” met with Pulte, who sent a criminal referral for the California senator to the Justice Department in May.
