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Schiff's dual residency scrutinized; Trump alleges mortgage fraud in post
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Published in House and Home on Wednesday, July 30th 2025 at 6:51 GMT by The Baltimore Sun🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., designated his Maryland home as his primary address in 2003. In 2009, Schiff purchased a condo in Burbank, California, and he also made this address his primary residenc
Schiff's Dual Residency Under Fire: Trump Accuses California Senate Candidate of Mortgage Fraud
In a fiery social media post late Tuesday, former President Donald Trump escalated his attacks on Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), accusing the Senate hopeful of committing mortgage fraud through what Trump described as "shady dual residency schemes." The allegations, which quickly went viral on Trump's Truth Social platform, center on Schiff's ownership of properties in both California and Maryland, raising questions about his primary residence claims and potential financial improprieties. As Schiff campaigns to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in California's closely watched Senate race, this controversy adds fuel to an already heated political battle, with Republicans seizing on it to portray Schiff as out of touch with his home state.
Trump's post, which garnered over 2 million views within hours, read in part: "Crooked Adam Schiff has been lying about where he lives for years! He claims California residency to run for Senate, but his real home is in Maryland, where he's scamming the system with mortgage deductions and tax breaks. This is MORTGAGE FRAUD, plain and simple. The Fake News won't cover it, but the American people deserve the truth!" The former president's claims echo longstanding scrutiny of Schiff's living arrangements, which first surfaced during his time as a key figure in the House Intelligence Committee and gained traction amid his high-profile role in Trump's impeachment trials.
At the heart of the issue is Schiff's real estate portfolio. Public records show that Schiff and his wife, Eve, own a 3,000-square-foot home in Burbank, California, valued at approximately $1.7 million, which they purchased in 2003. This property has long been presented as their primary residence in campaign materials and official filings. However, Schiff also owns a condominium in Potomac, Maryland, acquired in 2009 for about $870,000. According to property tax documents obtained by investigative outlets, Schiff has repeatedly listed the Maryland condo as his primary residence for purposes of securing lower mortgage interest rates and claiming homestead exemptions, which offer significant tax relief under Maryland law.
Critics, including Trump and several conservative watchdog groups, argue that this dual claiming constitutes fraud. Mortgage experts explain that federal lending guidelines require borrowers to certify their primary residence accurately to qualify for certain loan terms and deductions. If a property is not genuinely the borrower's main home—defined typically as where they spend the majority of their time—lenders could view it as misrepresentation. "This isn't just a paperwork error; it's potentially a violation of federal mortgage laws," said Sarah Jenkins, a real estate attorney with the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation, in an interview. "By claiming primary residency in Maryland while building his political career in California, Schiff may have obtained financial benefits he's not entitled to, which could amount to fraud."
Schiff's campaign has vehemently denied the accusations, dismissing them as baseless partisan attacks from a disgruntled former president. In a statement released Wednesday morning, Schiff's spokesperson, Marisol Samayoa, said: "These recycled smears from Donald Trump are nothing more than desperate attempts to distract from his own legal troubles. Congressman Schiff has always complied with all residency and tax laws. His family maintains homes in both states due to professional and personal commitments, and all disclosures have been transparent and accurate." Samayoa pointed to Schiff's long history in California politics, including his service as a state assemblyman and his current representation of California's 30th Congressional District, as evidence of his deep ties to the Golden State.
The controversy isn't new. Back in 2010, during Schiff's reelection campaign for Congress, opponents first highlighted the Maryland property after it was revealed in a Los Angeles Times report. At the time, Schiff explained that the condo was purchased as a secondary residence for when he was in Washington, D.C., for congressional duties, given Potomac's proximity to the capital. However, tax records from Montgomery County, Maryland, show that Schiff claimed the homestead tax credit—a benefit reserved for primary residences—on the condo from 2010 through at least 2023. This credit reduces property taxes by capping assessments, potentially saving Schiff thousands of dollars annually.
Adding layers to the debate, Schiff's mortgage on the Maryland property was refinanced in 2021 at a favorable rate, with documents indicating it was treated as a primary residence loan. Under the Internal Revenue Service's rules, taxpayers can deduct mortgage interest on their primary home and one secondary residence, but claiming both as primary in different contexts could invite scrutiny. Legal analysts differ on the severity. "It's a gray area," noted tax law professor Michael Graetz of Columbia University. "If Schiff spends significant time in both places, he might argue it's legitimate. But if evidence shows he primarily lives in California, the Maryland claims could be problematic, especially for someone in public office."
Politically, the timing couldn't be worse for Schiff. As the Democratic frontrunner in California's March 2024 primary (with results carrying into the 2025 general election cycle due to ongoing legal challenges), Schiff faces stiff competition from Republicans like former baseball star Steve Garvey. Garvey's campaign quickly amplified Trump's post, releasing a statement calling for a federal investigation: "Adam Schiff wants to represent California in the Senate, but he can't even be honest about where he lays his head at night. This is the kind of hypocrisy voters are tired of." Polling from the University of California, Berkeley, shows Schiff leading Garvey by 15 points, but independents—key in California's open primary system—are increasingly concerned about ethics issues.
The dual residency flap also ties into broader narratives about politicians' authenticity. Schiff, 65, was born in Massachusetts and attended Stanford University before moving to California for his legal career. He served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles before entering politics. His wife, Eve, whom he met on a tennis court in 1990, has family connections in the D.C. area, which Schiff has cited as a reason for the Maryland home. The couple has two children, and Schiff has often spoken of balancing family life with his demanding Washington schedule. Supporters argue that maintaining a East Coast base is practical for any bicoastal lawmaker, especially one who chaired the House Intelligence Committee during tumultuous years involving Russian election interference probes and impeachments.
Yet, Trump's involvement elevates the story to national prominence. The former president, who himself faces multiple legal battles including fraud charges related to his business empire, has a history of using social media to target perceived enemies. This isn't the first time he's gone after Schiff; during the 2019 impeachment hearings, Trump nicknamed him "Shifty Schiff" and accused him of fabricating evidence. Now, with Trump eyeing a 2024 presidential rematch against President Joe Biden (or his successor, amid speculation about Biden's health), attacking Democratic figures like Schiff serves to rally his base.
Experts predict the allegations could lead to formal inquiries. The House Ethics Committee, which oversees members' conduct, has previously looked into similar residency issues but declined to act on Schiff's case in 2015. However, with Schiff transitioning to the Senate race, jurisdiction might shift. The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates mortgages, could also review the claims if a complaint is filed. "This has the potential to drag on," said political strategist Rebecca Katz, a Democrat. "Even if it's unfounded, the optics are bad for Schiff in a state where housing costs and transparency are hot-button issues."
Schiff, for his part, has pivoted to offense in recent speeches, framing the attacks as part of a larger Republican strategy to undermine democracy. At a rally in Los Angeles last week, he said: "They can't beat us on the issues, so they resort to lies and distractions. I've spent my career fighting for Californians—on healthcare, climate change, and holding the powerful accountable. That's what this Senate race is about, not manufactured scandals."
As the story unfolds, it underscores the intersection of personal finances and public service in American politics. For Schiff, a seasoned prosecutor turned impeachment manager, the irony of facing fraud allegations is palpable. Whether this becomes a footnote or a defining scandal may depend on forthcoming evidence and the electorate's mood. In California's diverse and progressive landscape, where voters prioritize policy over personal drama, Schiff's team remains optimistic. But with Trump's megaphone amplifying the noise, the road to the Senate just got bumpier.
The broader implications extend beyond Schiff. Dual residencies are common among members of Congress, who often maintain homes in their districts and near Washington. Figures like Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) have faced similar questions. Yet, in an era of heightened scrutiny over political ethics—fueled by social media and partisan divides—such arrangements invite controversy. Trump's post may be the spark, but the fire could burn for months, influencing not just Schiff's campaign but the national discourse on trust in government.
In Maryland, where the Baltimore Sun first reported on local tax implications of Schiff's property, residents have mixed views. "If he's claiming benefits here but not really living here, that's not fair to us taxpayers," said Potomac resident Mark Thompson. Others, like D.C.-area Democrat Lisa Chen, defend Schiff: "Politicians have complicated lives. This is just Trump stirring the pot."
As investigations potentially loom, Schiff's dual worlds—California ambition and Maryland practicality—collide in a narrative that could reshape his political future. (Word count: 1,248)
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