NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, President Donald Trump publicly demanded that Senator Adam Schiff be “brought to justice” following reports that a federal housing agency referred Schiff to the Department of Justice (DOJ) over alleged mortgage fraud. The controversy centers on Schiff’s declarations of his Maryland residence as his primary home while serving as a congressman representing California.
According to senior administration officials, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees government-sponsored enterprises like Fannie Mae, submitted a criminal referral to the DOJ after its Financial Crimes Division reviewed Schiff’s mortgage transactions. The referral claims Schiff falsely declared his Maryland home as his primary residence to obtain a cheaper mortgage rate—allegedly violating federal regulations requiring that a primary residence designation be truthful.
Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to voice his accusations: “I have always suspected Shifty Adam Schiff was a scam artist. And now I learn that Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division have concluded that Adam Schiff has engaged in a sustained pattern of possible Mortgage Fraud.” He added, “Mortgage Fraud is very serious, and CROOKED Adam Schiff (now a Senator) needs to be brought to justice.”
The controversy traces back to a refinancing transaction on February 6, 2009, with alleged repeated misrepresentations continuing until the Maryland property was officially reclassified as a second home on October 13, 2020. A senior official reportedly told the press that Schiff could face legal jeopardy for each month of the alleged fraud.
Senator Schiff, previously the House Intelligence Committee chairman and a key figure in the first impeachment trial against Trump in 2020, denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Schiff said, “Since I led his first impeachment, Trump has repeatedly called for me to be arrested for treason. So in a way, I guess this is a bit of a letdown. And this baseless attempt at political retribution won’t stop me from holding him accountable.”
He further condemned the allegations as “a weak false allegation” and dismissed the claims as an effort to distract from Trump’s own legal challenges, including unresolved issues related to Jeffrey Epstein’s client list.
Schiff’s spokesperson also defended his mortgage dealings, stating that “the lenders who provided the mortgages for both homes were well aware of then-Representative Schiff’s Congressional service and of his intended year-round use of both homes, neither of which were vacation homes.” The initial reporting on the matter dates back to 2023, when CNN first highlighted concerns over Schiff’s property declarations.
The FHFA, led by Director Bill Pulte, has declined direct comment on Schiff’s referral but has recently made similar criminal referrals against other political figures, such as New York Attorney General Letitia James. James was referred to the DOJ over alleged mortgage fraud involving properties in Brooklyn and Virginia, prompting FBI investigations and public condemnation from Trump, who called James a “total crook.”
These developments come amid heightened political animosity and increasing scrutiny of elected officials’ financial dealings. Trump’s vocal accusations and Schiff’s denials are expected to fuel a protracted legal and political battle, underscoring the deep divisions within the current U.S. political landscape.
As investigations continue, the potential legal consequences for Schiff remain unclear. However, the case highlights the ongoing interplay of politics and law enforcement in the nation’s capital, with both sides accusing the other of weaponizing justice for partisan ends.
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