Conservatives Push Back Against MSNBC Claim on Schiff Prosecution

URGENT UPDATE: Conservatives are vehemently defending Maryland U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes against an MSNBC report suggesting she doubts the strength of a mortgage fraud case against Senator Adam Schiff. This claim, made public on Thursday, has sparked immediate backlash from right-leaning commentators who have rallied to support Hayes.

MSNBC reported that Hayes allegedly told her superiors the case against Schiff lacked sufficient evidence to proceed. This statement comes amid heightened scrutiny, with President Donald Trump having pressured officials in the past to pursue indictments against his political adversaries. Following the report, conservative voices quickly took to social media to refute the claims.

“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,” tweeted Susan Crabtree, a reporter for RealClearPolitics. “Kelly is the same U.S. Attorney who indicted John Bolton and is not backing away from the Schiff case.”

Prominent conservative commentator Alex Lorusso also chimed in, declaring, “This is false. The investigation into Schiff is ongoing.” The fervor among conservatives highlights the stakes in this politically charged case that has implications for both parties.

In a developing twist, Hayes met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche earlier this week regarding the investigation, leaving with instructions to search for additional evidence, according to sources from NBC. However, Blanche refuted claims of the meeting on social media, stating, “Excited to hear more about this made-up meeting! Also, unequivocally: U.S. Attorney Hayes has told me no such thing.”

The tension surrounding this case is palpable. Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer joined the chorus disputing the report, underscoring that Hayes’ previous actions, including her indictment of Bolton, showcased her commitment to pursuing justice.

The backdrop of this conflict is significant. Trump has maintained a personal vendetta against Schiff, stemming from his role in Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2020. Schiff, along with New York Attorney General Letitia James, has been under investigation for alleged mortgage fraud for months, with James recently indicted and pleading not guilty to the charges.

As conservatives defend Hayes, analysts are raising concerns about the potential consequences for prosecutors who fail to take action against Trump’s critics. “You’ve seen it yourself in the papers,” stated legal analyst Michael Scotto. “There are times when people have either felt they were forced out and so they resigned, or they were out and out fired.”

Erik S. Siebert, the former federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned last month after refusing to indict James, raising questions about the political pressures facing prosecutors in high-profile cases.

The White House has deferred inquiries about Hayes’ job status to the Department of Justice, which has yet to respond for comment. Meanwhile, Trump reiterated his disdain for Schiff, calling him “one of the lowest forms of scum” in a recent statement.

The situation is rapidly evolving, and observers are closely monitoring the implications for U.S. law enforcement and political accountability. As the investigation continues, the pressure on Hayes to deliver results mounts, and the political ramifications could be significant.

Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this story develops. If you have a news tip, contact Ben Mause at [email protected].