Conservatives Challenge MSNBC Report on U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes

In response to a recent report from MSNBC, conservative commentators have rallied to defend Maryland U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes against claims that she doubts the viability of prosecuting Senator Adam Schiff. The report, released on Thursday, suggested that Hayes communicated to her superiors that the case lacked sufficient strength to proceed. This assertion has been met with skepticism from various conservative figures.

MSNBC reported that Hayes had expressed concerns regarding the mortgage fraud case against Schiff. This case is significant, especially given the ongoing scrutiny from both the public and political arenas. The former President, Donald Trump, has long criticized Schiff, particularly since Schiff played a key role in Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2019.

In light of the report, conservative media representatives quickly came to Hayes’ defense. Susan Crabtree, a reporter for the right-leaning outlet RealClearPolitics, stated on the platform X that Hayes had not indicated a lack of confidence in the case against Schiff. Crabtree emphasized that Hayes is the same U.S. Attorney who successfully indicted former National Security Advisor John Bolton and asserted that she remains committed to the ongoing investigation into Schiff.

Other prominent conservative voices, including commentators Jack Posobiec and Alex Lorusso, echoed these sentiments. Lorusso specifically dismissed the MSNBC report as false, reiterating that the investigation into Schiff is ongoing and that Hayes has not wavered in her responsibilities.

After a detailed investigation, Hayes reportedly met with Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, earlier this week. Following this meeting, she was directed to gather additional evidence for the case. However, Blanche publicly denied that such a meeting took place, stating on X, “Excited to hear more about this made-up meeting! Also, unequivocally: U.S. Attorney Hayes has told me no such thing.”

The allegations surrounding Schiff have been compounded by the ongoing investigation led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has faced her own legal challenges. James was indicted on charges related to mortgage fraud and pleaded not guilty on March 15, 2024.

While conservative figures have united to support Hayes, some legal analysts have raised concerns about her potential job security. Michael Scotto, a legal analyst and former prosecutor, indicated that there have been instances where prosecutors faced pressure to resign or were dismissed when they did not pursue politically motivated charges. He cited the recent situation involving James, where a new prosecutor was appointed to pursue charges that previous prosecutors deemed inappropriate.

In a notable shift within the legal landscape, Erik S. Siebert, the former head federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned last month after declining to indict James. This vacancy was filled by Lindsey Halligan, a former member of Trump’s legal team, who subsequently indicted James and former FBI Director James Comey. Many legal experts criticized these cases as lacking sufficient merit.

Hayes was appointed as the interim U.S. Attorney for Maryland in March 2023 and was officially sworn into office in June. In light of the ongoing speculation regarding her position, the White House has referred inquiries to the Department of Justice, which has not commented on the matter as of the time of publication.

Trump continued his criticism of Schiff on Thursday, stating, “Adam Schiff is one of the lowest forms of scum I’ve ever dealt with in politics. He’s a horrible human being, very dishonest person.”

As the controversy unfolds, the dynamics between political figures and their legal representatives remain a focal point of discussion, raising questions about the influence of political pressures on judicial processes.