The Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently investigating the actions of Ed Martin, the U.S. Pardon Attorney, and Bill Pulte, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, for their potential interference in ongoing criminal investigations related to political opponents of former President Donald Trump. The inquiry specifically focuses on allegations involving Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Reports indicate that Martin and Pulte may have engaged external individuals to investigate claims of mortgage fraud while these investigations were active. A witness in the Schiff investigation has reportedly received a grand jury subpoena for communications with Martin and Pulte. Allegations suggest that Martin may have shared sensitive grand jury information with unauthorized individuals and collaborated with external parties to gather evidence concerning the Schiff and James cases.

Concerns regarding the conduct of Martin and Pulte have been raised by senior officials within the Trump administration, highlighting the potential misconduct that could undermine the integrity of the investigations. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Martin as a special attorney for mortgage fraud, but his actions, which appear to bypass established DOJ protocols, have prompted calls for a thorough review of his conduct.

The investigations into Schiff and James have been characterized by some as politically motivated, with both individuals denying any wrongdoing. Schiff's legal team has described the inquiry as lacking evidence and driven by political bias, while James has stated that the justice system is being weaponized against political adversaries.

These investigations raise broader questions about the use of state power against political opponents and the fairness of the judicial process under the Trump administration. Although the DOJ has not publicly commented on the specifics of the Schiff investigation, sources indicate that prosecutors are facing challenges in building a viable case, partly due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on the alleged mortgage fraud.

In a separate but related matter, the DOJ has initiated a lawsuit against California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding a state law that allows undocumented immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition rates at California public colleges and universities. Filed in the Eastern District of California, the lawsuit asserts that this law results in U.S. citizens from out of state facing higher tuition costs than those unlawfully residing in the country, which the DOJ characterizes as 'unequal treatment' that contradicts federal law.

This lawsuit is part of a broader pattern, as the DOJ has pursued similar legal actions in other states, including Minnesota, where the case has been temporarily suspended due to a government shutdown. Minnesota's Attorney General, Keith Ellison, argues for its dismissal, contending that the DOJ's interpretation of federal law is incorrect and that U.S. citizens have access to the same educational benefits as undocumented immigrants.

Governor Newsom, a prominent figure within the Democratic Party and a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election, faces ongoing legal challenges that reflect the contentious nature of immigration and education policy in the United States.