President Donald Trump reignited his long-standing feud with Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., on Tuesday morning by levying serious accusations against the California lawmaker — this time, accusing him of mortgage fraud stretching back over a decade. The claims, centered around Schiff’s residency declarations on mortgage paperwork, were delivered in classic Trump fashion: direct, inflammatory, and without clear evidence.
The allegations quickly dominated political headlines, with Trump calling Schiff a “scam artist” and demanding justice, while Schiff dismissed the claims as yet another baseless political attack designed to discredit him after his role in Trump’s first impeachment.
Trump’s Accusations: A Decade-Long Deception?
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Schiff misrepresented his primary residence status to secure more favorable mortgage terms on a Maryland property. Trump alleged that Schiff claimed the home as a “primary residence” on mortgage documents, despite also maintaining a home in California — the state he was elected to represent.
“Adam Schiff said that his primary residence was in MARYLAND to get a cheaper mortgage and rip off America,” Trump wrote, suggesting the fraud occurred during a refinance of the Maryland property in 2009 and continued until it was finally reclassified as a secondary home in 2020.
Trump also stated — again, without presenting direct evidence — that Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division had discovered the issue. According to his post, the mortgage transactions in question were done while Schiff was serving in Congress, beginning in 2009.
“I always knew Adam Schiff was a Crook,” Trump added. “Mortgage Fraud is very serious… and CROOKED Adam Schiff (now a Senator) needs to be brought to justice.”
Did Schiff Break the Law? What the Constitution Says
The accusations hinge on whether Schiff violated mortgage terms by misrepresenting his principal residence — but the legal picture is more nuanced than Trump’s fiery statements suggest.
As a member of Congress, Schiff was not legally required to live full-time in California. The U.S. Constitution only mandates that members of the House reside in the state they represent at the time of their election, not throughout their entire term.
Furthermore, owning property in Maryland — where many lawmakers live while Congress is in session — is not uncommon.
However, Schiff allegedly claimed both the Maryland and California residences as his “primary” address at various times on official and financial documents. According to an earlier report by Just the News, Schiff refinanced his Maryland home in 2009, 2011, and 2013, marking it as his principal residence each time. Simultaneously, his California property was listed as his primary residence in other filings.
That apparent contradiction raised eyebrows.
The Origin of the Allegations
The accusations came into sharper focus last year when Christine Bish, a Republican real estate investigator from Sacramento and former congressional candidate, filed an ethics complaint against Schiff. Bish’s investigation unearthed records showing the dual “primary residence” claims made in separate mortgage applications.
Despite these findings, Schiff’s camp insists that no fraud occurred and that his mortgage lenders were fully aware of his bi-coastal lifestyle as a member of Congress.
“The lenders… were well aware of then-Representative Schiff’s Congressional service and of his intended year-round use of both homes,” a spokesperson for Schiff said Tuesday. “He has always been completely transparent about this.”
The spokesperson added that neither home was used as a vacation property and suggested that Schiff did not attempt to deceive lenders for financial benefit.
Fannie Mae, which was cited in Trump’s post, declined to comment on the matter.
Schiff’s Response: “Trump Is Trying to Distract from His Own Legal Troubles”
Senator Schiff responded swiftly and forcefully.
In a statement on social media, he accused Trump of engaging in yet another act of political retaliation, rooted in personal vendettas rather than facts.
“Since I led his first impeachment, Trump has repeatedly called for me to be arrested for treason,” Schiff wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “So in a way, I guess this is a bit of a letdown.”
In a follow-up video, Schiff doubled down, calling the allegations “baseless,” “without merit,” and clearly intended to distract from Trump’s own legal and political challenges.
He referenced ongoing investigations involving the former president, including renewed public interest in Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, which Schiff described as Trump’s “real problem.”
Trump Walks Back Slightly, But Doubles Down on Criticism
Later that day, when pressed by Fox News’ Peter Doocy about what he meant by wanting Schiff “brought to justice,” Trump softened slightly.
“I don’t know about the individual charge, if that even happened,” Trump said. “But Adam Schiff is a serious lowlife.”
Even as he backed off the specifics, Trump left no doubt about his disdain for Schiff, whose role in the 2019 impeachment inquiry remains a sore point for many Trump allies.
A Political Theater with High Stakes
The clash between Trump and Schiff isn’t new — it’s part of a years-long feud that has featured impeachment, public insults, and now accusations of financial misconduct.
While the legal weight of Trump’s claims remains to be seen — especially without evidence presented — the political implications are clear.
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- For Trump, the attack energizes his base, positions him as a fighter against the “deep state,” and reasserts dominance in a media cycle where he’s often playing defense.
- For Schiff, it reinforces his role as a target of Trump’s wrath — something that could work in his favor with voters who see him as a principled opponent of Trumpism.
The accusations may not lead to legal consequences, but they’re already becoming a weapon in the battle for public perception, as both men head into a contentious 2024 election season.
