Donald Trump is once again aiming his fire at Senator Adam Schiff. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed Schiff is a "scam artist" and accused him of a "sustained pattern of possible mortgage fraud." He says the Democratic Senator should be "brought to justice" for allegedly misleading lenders to secure better mortgage terms.
Trump's comments came after the Federal Housing Finance Agency reportedly sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department. The case centres on Schiff's Maryland home, which he listed as his primary residence in 2009, despite previously declaring it a secondary home and representing California in Congress.
"Adam Schiff said that his primary residence was in MARYLAND to get a cheaper mortgage and rip off America, when he must LIVE in CALIFORNIA because he was a Congressman from CALIFORNIA," Trump wrote.
The accusation is based on a rebate Schiff claimed for his California property, which requires the residence to be a "true, fixed, and permanent home" under state law.
Schiff pushes back
Schiff responded swiftly, calling the accusations a weak political smear.
"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," Schiff said in a statement on X. "This baseless attempt at political retribution won’t stop me from holding him accountable. Not by a long shot."
He continued, "This is just Donald Trump’s latest attempt at political retaliation against his perceived enemies. So it is not a surprise, only how weak this false allegation turns out to be. And much as Trump may hope, this smear will not distract from his Epstein files problem."
A spokesperson for Schiff also stated that the lenders were fully aware of his year-round use of both homes and that neither property was a vacation home.
Legal grey area
CNN first reported on the mortgage questions in 2023, but experts say Schiff is unlikely to face charges. California's property laws are open to interpretation, and there's no evidence of deliberate fraud.
Still, a senior administration official told the New York Post the matter could lead to charges. "It is extremely serious and [Schiff] is not taking it seriously," the official said. "The senator could face a criminal count for each time he paid his monthly mortgage bill."
Trump added more fuel during a White House press briefing, saying, "I would have thought he covered his bases a little bit better than that. Adam Schiff is a low-life, he deserves what he gets."
Political scorekeeping
This is just the latest chapter in a long political fight. Schiff was central to Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2020, accusing him of abusing power to pressure Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden. Trump has targeted Schiff repeatedly ever since.
He was later censured by House Republicans for his role in promoting claims of Russian collusion, and remains a favourite Trump target.
The mortgage allegations come at a time when Trump is facing multiple legal battles of his own, including fallout from the Epstein files and ongoing civil fraud cases.
As for Schiff, he's keeping busy. According to Quiver Quantitative, his net worth is currently $1.9 million. He has around $761,000 in publicly traded assets and raised $1.2 million in campaign funds last quarter. He has over $7 million in cash on hand.
He's also been active on legislation, proposing bills on reproductive rights, gun control, and government oversight.
Despite the noise, no formal charges have been filed. The Justice Department has declined to comment. Schiff insists he has nothing to hide. Trump, meanwhile, is doing what he does best: stirring the pot.
Whether this goes anywhere legally is still unclear. What is clear is that, in this deeply polarised political era, old rivalries never really die. They just reload.
Trump's comments came after the Federal Housing Finance Agency reportedly sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department. The case centres on Schiff's Maryland home, which he listed as his primary residence in 2009, despite previously declaring it a secondary home and representing California in Congress.
"Adam Schiff said that his primary residence was in MARYLAND to get a cheaper mortgage and rip off America, when he must LIVE in CALIFORNIA because he was a Congressman from CALIFORNIA," Trump wrote.
The accusation is based on a rebate Schiff claimed for his California property, which requires the residence to be a "true, fixed, and permanent home" under state law.
Schiff pushes back
Schiff responded swiftly, calling the accusations a weak political smear.
"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," Schiff said in a statement on X. "This baseless attempt at political retribution won’t stop me from holding him accountable. Not by a long shot."
Since I led his first impeachment, Trump has repeatedly called for me to be arrested for treason.
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) July 15, 2025
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.
Not by a long shot. pic.twitter.com/zC5W2lFF3Z
He continued, "This is just Donald Trump’s latest attempt at political retaliation against his perceived enemies. So it is not a surprise, only how weak this false allegation turns out to be. And much as Trump may hope, this smear will not distract from his Epstein files problem."
A spokesperson for Schiff also stated that the lenders were fully aware of his year-round use of both homes and that neither property was a vacation home.
Legal grey area
CNN first reported on the mortgage questions in 2023, but experts say Schiff is unlikely to face charges. California's property laws are open to interpretation, and there's no evidence of deliberate fraud.
Still, a senior administration official told the New York Post the matter could lead to charges. "It is extremely serious and [Schiff] is not taking it seriously," the official said. "The senator could face a criminal count for each time he paid his monthly mortgage bill."
Trump added more fuel during a White House press briefing, saying, "I would have thought he covered his bases a little bit better than that. Adam Schiff is a low-life, he deserves what he gets."
Political scorekeeping
This is just the latest chapter in a long political fight. Schiff was central to Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2020, accusing him of abusing power to pressure Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden. Trump has targeted Schiff repeatedly ever since.
He was later censured by House Republicans for his role in promoting claims of Russian collusion, and remains a favourite Trump target.
The mortgage allegations come at a time when Trump is facing multiple legal battles of his own, including fallout from the Epstein files and ongoing civil fraud cases.
As for Schiff, he's keeping busy. According to Quiver Quantitative, his net worth is currently $1.9 million. He has around $761,000 in publicly traded assets and raised $1.2 million in campaign funds last quarter. He has over $7 million in cash on hand.
He's also been active on legislation, proposing bills on reproductive rights, gun control, and government oversight.
Despite the noise, no formal charges have been filed. The Justice Department has declined to comment. Schiff insists he has nothing to hide. Trump, meanwhile, is doing what he does best: stirring the pot.
Whether this goes anywhere legally is still unclear. What is clear is that, in this deeply polarised political era, old rivalries never really die. They just reload.
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