President Donald Trump is swinging hard at California Sen. Adam Schiff (D), accusing him of a crime that could land him behind bars. The Justice Department is probing Schiff for alleged mortgage fraud, tied to misrepresenting his primary residence on loan documents. This bombshell has Trump demanding Schiff face prison time for what he calls a real crime, not a manufactured one, as the Daily Mail reports.
The investigation centers on Schiff’s designation of a 691-square-foot, one-bedroom condo in Burbank, California, as his primary residence to secure lower loan rates. A confidential Fannie Mae memo revealed scrutiny over five loans, flagging possible occupancy misrepresentation. All loans have been paid off, but questions linger about Schiff’s cozy condo choice for a family of four.
Schiff owns two homes -- one in California, another in Washington -- both used year-round while he has served in public office, his team claims. Lenders, they insist, were fully aware of his dual-residence lifestyle. Yet, the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s document demand on May 12 suggests the feds aren’t buying the explanation.
Trump took to Truth Social Sunday night, blasting Schiff for allegedly falsifying loan documents. “Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff is in BIG TROUBLE,” Trump declared, relishing the irony of Schiff’s predicament. The president’s post wasn’t just a jab -- it was a call for Schiff’s imprisonment.
Trump’s fury ties back to Schiff’s role as House Intelligence Committee chair, where he led the charge to impeach him. Schiff’s 2019 probe into Donald Trump Jr.’s phone records, linked to a 2016 Russian meeting, still stings. Trump insists his son did nothing wrong, calling Schiff’s actions an “American Tragedy.”
“He once said my son would go to prison on a SCAM,” Trump fumed, accusing Schiff of orchestrating a coup. The former president sees Schiff’s current woes as poetic justice, a chance to flip the script on his old nemesis. Schiff, however, dismisses the investigation as Trump’s push for petty revenge.
“This is just Donald Trump’s latest attempt at political retaliation,” Schiff retorted, brushing off the allegations as weak. He claims the probe is baseless, a desperate move to smear Trump’s foes. But Schiff’s confidence might not sway the Justice Department’s financial crimes team.
Schiff’s team argues the Burbank condo’s designation was transparent, with lenders fully informed of his dual-home setup. Neither property, they stress, is a vacation home -- both are functional for his public duties. Still, a one-bedroom condo for a family raises eyebrows, and the feds seem eager to dig deeper.
The senator’s defiance peaked with a jab at Trump: “Would you release the Epstein files?” Schiff’s attempt to pivot feels like a distraction, sidestepping the serious allegations against him. It’s a bold move, but one that might not deflect the Justice Department’s spotlight.
Trump’s not stopping at Schiff -- he’s also targeting New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has filed over a dozen lawsuits against Trump and now faces her own DOJ probe for real estate dealings. Subpoenas in Virginia question her claim of a Norfolk home as her primary residence.
Records show that James signed over power of attorney to her niece for the Norfolk purchase, raising red flags. “This investigation into me is nothing more than retribution,” James snapped, echoing Schiff’s defense. Both seem convinced that Trump is pulling strings to settle old scores.
Barbara McQuade, a legal analyst and former federal prosecutor, warned that public officials aren’t above the law but questioned the DOJ’s motives. “They’ve undermined the credibility of the department,” she said, hinting at political witch-hunts. Her take, though, ignores the paper trail pointing to potential fraud.
How Trump learned of Schiff’s mortgage details remains a mystery, fueling speculation of leaks or insider tips. The former president’s knack for spotlighting his rivals’ missteps keeps him in the headlines. Schiff’s predicament, however, hinges on documents, not just Trump’s bluster.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency’s involvement signals this isn’t just political noise -- there’s substance to the probe. Fannie Mae’s financial crimes team is combing through loan files, and Schiff’s explanations will face tough scrutiny. A one-bedroom condo as a primary residence for a family of four stretches credulity.
Trump’s crusade against Schiff and James underscores a broader fight against what he sees as a corrupt establishment. While Schiff and James cry foul, the paper trails and federal probes suggest their troubles are far from over. The Justice Department’s next moves will decide if Trump’s demands for accountability gain traction.
