On Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump launched a severe critique against Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., reiterating allegations from 2024 that Schiff engaged in mortgage fraud by misrepresenting his principal address for over a decade, a claim that the senator denies.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump labeled Schiff a “scam artist” and asserted that he secured a mortgage for a home in Maryland in 2009, only designating it as a second home in 2020 as part of a scheme to obtain more favorable rates and terms from the lending institution, which has been under federal conservatorship since the financial crisis of 2008.
The president indicated that the Financial Crimes Division of Fannie Mae had uncovered the alleged misconduct. Schiff acquired the Maryland property while he was serving in Congress in 2009, and he ascended to the Senate the following January. Schiff characterized the allegations as “baseless.”
“I have always suspected that Shifty Adam Schiff was a scam artist. Now I learn that Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division has concluded that Adam Schiff has engaged in a prolonged pattern of potential mortgage fraud,” Trump stated.
“Adam Schiff claimed that his primary residence was in MARYLAND to secure a lower mortgage and defraud America, when he is required to RESIDE in CALIFORNIA as he was a Congressman from CALIFORNIA. I have always believed Adam Schiff to be a Crook. The FRAUD commenced with the refinancing of his Maryland property on February 6, 2009, and persisted through several transactions until the Maryland property was accurately classified as a second home on October 13, 2020. Mortgage fraud is a grave matter, and CROOKED Adam Schiff (now a Senator) must be held accountable,” Trump asserted. He did not present any proof of the purported fraud.
When questioned about the allegations later on Tuesday, Trump seemed to temper the specific claim.
“I am not certain about the individual charge, if it even occurred, but Adam Schiff is undeniably a serious lowlife,” Trump remarked.
Fox News’ Peter Doocy inquired, “When you mentioned that you wish to see Adam Schiff brought to justice, what does that entail?”
Trump replied, “I would be pleased to witness him brought to justice.”
During his time in Congress, Schiff was not barred from designating his Maryland residence as his primary home, as the Constitution only mandated that he be an “inhabitant” of California at the moment of his election, rather than throughout his entire term.
However, Schiff listed two properties, one located in California and another in Maryland, as his “principal residence” on multiple mortgage and election documents dating back to 2003, as reported by Just the News in October.
Schiff refinanced his Maryland property on at least three occasions — in 2009, 2011, and 2013 — and referred to it as his “principal residence,” while also designating his Burbank, California apartment as his primary address in separate financing documents, according to the source. He later amended the note on his Maryland mortgage to indicate a secondary residence.
This pattern was uncovered by Christine Bish, a real estate investigator based in Sacramento, who ran for Congress as a Republican last year. She filed an ethics complaint against Schiff in Congress.
Schiff asserted that Trump’s comments represent the latest attempt at political retribution against his perceived opponents, and that they would not distract from “his Epstein files issue.”
“Since I spearheaded his first impeachment, Trump has consistently called for my arrest on charges of treason,” Schiff stated on X. “So in a sense, I suppose this is somewhat disappointing. And this unfounded effort at political revenge will not deter me from holding him accountable. Not in the slightest.”
A representative for Schiff indicated that the allegations have been disproven.
“The financial institutions that issued the mortgages for both residences were fully cognizant of then-Representative Schiff’s service in Congress and his plan to utilize both properties year-round, as neither of them served as vacation homes,” the spokesperson informed Fox News Digital. “He has consistently maintained complete transparency regarding this matter.”
The spokesperson did not clarify if the Maryland residence was classified as a primary home. Fannie Mae indicated that it would refrain from commenting on the allegations.
Later on Tuesday, Schiff addressed the situation through a video statement, labeling the president’s claims as “unfounded” and “lacking in substance.”
