UPDATE: Conservatives vehemently dispute an MSNBC report alleging that Maryland U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes has doubts about the strength of the case against Senator Adam Schiff. The report, released on Thursday, claims Hayes expressed concerns to her superiors, suggesting the evidence is insufficient for prosecution.
This development has ignited a swift backlash from conservative media and influencers who rushed to defend Hayes’ credibility. Prominent right-leaning journalist Susan Crabtree tweeted, “Maryland U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes did not say that she didn’t believe the mortgage fraud case against Adam Schiff was strong enough to pursue.” Hayes is noted for her previous indictment of former National Security Advisor John Bolton, reinforcing her standing among conservatives.
After a recent meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Hayes reportedly received instructions to seek further evidence for the ongoing investigation into Schiff, a California Democrat. However, Blanche has denied the meeting took place, tweeting, “Excited to hear more about this made-up meeting! Also, unequivocally: U.S. Attorney Hayes has told me no such thing.”
The controversy is fueled by Donald Trump‘s long-standing animosity towards Schiff, stemming from the senator’s role in Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2020. Trump has consistently labeled Schiff as corrupt, intensifying scrutiny on the senator, who is currently under investigation for alleged mortgage fraud alongside New York Attorney General Letitia James.
James was indicted recently and pleaded not guilty to charges on Friday, further complicating the political landscape. Legal analysts, including Michael Scotto, have raised concerns over the potential fallout for prosecutors who choose not to pursue cases against Trump’s political adversaries. Scotto noted, “There’s other times when people have either felt they were forced out and so they resigned, or they were out and out fired.”
The situation remains tense, with Hayes having been appointed as interim U.S. attorney in March 2023 and fully sworn into office by June 2023. The White House has shifted inquiries regarding Hayes’ status to the Department of Justice, which has not yet commented.
As the investigation continues, the outcome could have significant implications for both Schiff and Hayes. The political stakes are high, and the dynamics surrounding the case are evolving rapidly.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. Anyone with news tips can contact Ben Mause at [email protected].
