President Donald Trump escalated his long-running feud with Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) this week, accusing the Democratic lawmaker of committing mortgage fraud in connection with a Maryland home he has owned since 2009. The accusation, which Schiff has repeatedly denied, revives earlier claims Trump made during the 2024 campaign and once again places one of his fiercest political opponents under intense public scrutiny.
In a post on his Truth Social platform Tuesday morning, Trump described Schiff as a “scam artist” who allegedly misrepresented the status of his Maryland residence in order to secure more favorable mortgage terms. “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. He further claimed that the mortgage fraud began with a refinance in February 2009 and continued until October 2020, when the property was finally identified as a second home.
The explosive charge, however, was not accompanied by documentary evidence. Schiff has consistently described the allegations as “baseless” and politically motivated.
Background: Schiff’s Rise and Trump’s Rivalry
Adam Schiff has long been a polarizing figure in national politics. First elected to Congress in 2000, he gained prominence as a leading critic of Trump, chairing the House Intelligence Committee during the first impeachment inquiry. Schiff’s sharp questioning and high-profile media appearances made him a frequent target of Trump’s ire.
The antagonism only deepened in subsequent years. Schiff, who won election to the Senate in 2024, has positioned himself as a staunch progressive voice and vocal critic of Trump’s policies and conduct. For Trump, Schiff embodies what he often describes as “Washington corruption” and “the deep state.”
Trump’s latest attack revives a claim he floated during the 2024 campaign trail: that Schiff improperly identified a Maryland home as his principal residence for over a decade, despite representing California in Congress.
The Property at the Center of the Dispute
According to property records, Schiff purchased a house in Montgomery County, Maryland, in early 2009, the same year he refinanced the mortgage. Trump alleges that Schiff listed the Maryland home as his principal residence at the time, enabling him to qualify for better mortgage terms.
Under federal guidelines, mortgages on primary residences often carry lower interest rates and more favorable terms than loans for secondary or investment properties. The distinction, critics argue, could have saved Schiff tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
Trump claims the scheme continued through multiple refinancings until October 2020, when the Maryland property was reclassified as a second home. He cited unnamed sources in Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division, though no official report has been made public.
Legal Context: Residency and Representation
The Constitution requires members of Congress to be “inhabitants” of the state they represent at the time of election, but it does not require them to live exclusively within that state during their tenure. Many lawmakers maintain residences in Washington, D.C., or surrounding suburbs, while also retaining homes in their home states.
Schiff, like numerous other lawmakers, has owned property near the capital to accommodate the demands of serving in Congress. His defenders argue that designating the Maryland house as a principal residence for mortgage purposes was not inherently unlawful, given the fluidity of congressional schedules and housing arrangements.
However, Trump and his allies contend that Schiff knowingly misrepresented his living situation for personal financial gain. They highlight inconsistencies in Schiff’s past filings, including instances in which he identified both his California and Maryland addresses as “principal residences” in separate documents.
Trump’s Escalating Attack
Trump’s rhetoric went further than the technicalities of mortgage classifications. In his Truth Social post, he framed Schiff’s actions as part of a pattern of dishonesty and corruption.
“I always knew Adam Schiff was a Crook,” Trump wrote. “The FRAUD began with the refinance of his Maryland property on February 6, 2009, and continued through multiple transactions… Mortgage Fraud is very serious, and CROOKED Adam Schiff (now a Senator) needs to be brought to justice.”
Later that day, pressed by reporters at the White House, Trump slightly tempered his remarks. “I don’t know about the individual charge, if that even happened, but Adam Schiff is a serious lowlife,” he said. When asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy what he meant by wanting Schiff “brought to justice,” Trump responded, “I’d love to see him brought to justice.”
The remarks left open the question of whether Trump was calling for formal prosecution or simply voicing political disdain.
Schiff’s Response
Schiff has brushed off the allegations, characterizing them as an attempt to discredit him in retaliation for his past leadership during Trump’s impeachment. “These accusations are baseless and recycled,” Schiff said in a statement through his Senate office. “The facts have not changed, because there are no facts to support them.”
He added that maintaining a residence near Washington is standard practice for lawmakers, and that he has complied with all mortgage and election reporting requirements.
Expert Opinions: How Serious Could This Be?
Legal experts note that mortgage fraud is indeed a federal crime that can carry serious penalties if proven. However, they caution that the allegations as described may not meet the threshold for criminal liability without clear evidence of intentional deception.
“Merely owning two homes and shifting which one you designate as primary isn’t necessarily fraud,” said Christopher Alton, a housing law specialist at Georgetown University. “What matters is whether misrepresentations were made knowingly and materially impacted the terms of the loan. Without documentation, it’s impossible to assess.”
Others argue that even if Schiff technically violated lending rules, the political framing of the issue far outweighs the financial significance. “This is about optics and credibility more than money,” said Dr. Helena Moore, a political science professor at George Washington University. “Trump knows Schiff is a symbol of opposition, and painting him as corrupt serves his broader narrative.”
The Political Fallout
The renewed allegations come at a sensitive time. With the 2026 midterm elections looming, Republicans are eager to highlight Democratic vulnerabilities, while Democrats accuse Trump of weaponizing conspiracy theories.
For Schiff, the allegations risk overshadowing his Senate agenda and keeping him entangled in a political fight with Trump. His allies argue the attack reflects Trump’s obsession with punishing critics, while Trump’s base sees it as confirmation of deep-seated corruption in Washington.
Media coverage has been predictably polarized, with conservative outlets amplifying Trump’s claims and progressive commentators dismissing them as a distraction tactic.
What Comes Next
As of now, no official investigation into Schiff’s mortgage history has been announced by federal regulators or prosecutors. Trump’s references to Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division remain unsubstantiated, though the claim alone is likely to fuel further speculation.
The episode underscores the enduring feud between Trump and Schiff, two figures who have defined each other’s political careers in opposition. Whether the allegations gain traction in legal or political arenas remains to be seen.
For now, the clash illustrates a broader trend: the weaponization of personal and financial details in America’s hyper-polarized political environment. In Trump’s words, it is about “bringing Schiff to justice.” In Schiff’s view, it is another chapter in a campaign of political retribution.