What accusations have been made against Adam Schiff and who alleged them?
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Executive summary
Multiple, primarily political accusations against Adam Schiff in 2025 center on alleged mortgage fraud and earlier claims tied to his role in the Trump–Russia investigations; the mortgage-fraud allegations were pushed publicly by Trump allies including Ed Martin and FHFA official Bill Pulte and amplified by outside actors such as real-estate agent Christine Bish (DOJ is now examining the handling of that probe) [1] [2] [3]. Longstanding partisan attacks — including a House resolution accusing Schiff of lying, misusing sensitive intelligence and promoting the Steele dossier — were advanced by congressional Republicans such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s allies and Sen. Ron Johnson, who called Schiff “corrupt” over past work on alleged Trump–Russia ties [4] [5].
1. The new, high-profile accusation: mortgage fraud and who raised it
Since mid-2025 Adam Schiff has been publicly accused of mortgage fraud. The charge was driven by a cluster of Trump allies: Ed Martin (head of a Justice Department-aligned committee) and Bill Pulte, an FHFA official, have publicly pushed referrals and criminal complaints alleging irregularities in mortgages held by Schiff and other Democratic figures [1] [6]. Conservative media and activist figures — and at least one private citizen, real-estate agent and congressional candidate Christine Bish — have publicized and filed complaints about the same mortgages [2] [6] [7].
2. DOJ response and internal review: investigation of the investigation
The Justice Department has not simply pursued the mortgage allegations in usual fashion; it has opened a review into how the probe itself was handled. Federal authorities, including a Maryland grand jury and a DOJ internal inquiry overseen by the deputy attorney general’s office, are examining whether people claiming to act for Pulte or Ed Martin improperly influenced or assisted the investigation into Schiff — a development reported by AP, PBS, Axios and others [1] [2] [8] [9]. Media reporting shows the inquiry has expanded beyond the initial referral to scrutinize tactics and contacts used to advance the case [2] [3].
3. Who else has accused Schiff — longer-standing partisan and ethical claims
Beyond mortgage assertions, Republicans have repeatedly accused Schiff of misconduct tied to his years in Congress. Critics point to his role on the House Intelligence Committee during the Trump-era Russia investigations and say he “lent credibility” to the Steele dossier and misled the public — language echoed in a House resolution that sought to censure and condemned him for lying and abusing sensitive information [5] [4]. Prominent Republican lawmakers such as Sen. Ron Johnson and other GOP critics have labeled Schiff “corrupt” for those actions [4].
4. Denials, unresolved status and competing narratives
Schiff and his office have denied wrongdoing and framed the mortgage push as political retribution by President Trump and allies; Schiff called the campaign “political retribution, retaliation” after Trump publicly urged DOJ action [8]. Reporting makes clear the mortgage investigation had not produced a charge against Schiff at the time many outlets published — and the DOJ review is examining whether those who pushed the probe followed appropriate procedures [1] [2] [9]. Conservative outlets and activists have continued to assert more expansive wrongdoing; mainstream outlets have focused reporting on the process questions and investigative scope [7] [2] [3].
5. Evidence and standards: what available reporting shows and does not show
Available reporting documents referrals, complaints and public accusations [2] [6] [3], and shows DOJ is scrutinizing how those allegations were advanced [1] [9]. Available sources do not establish that Schiff has been criminally charged or convicted; multiple outlets note he “has yet to be charged” and that the DOJ review examines handling of the investigation rather than proving guilt [1] [9]. The public record in these sources also does not substantiate many fringe or long-circulating conspiracy claims about Schiff that predate 2025; Reuters previously labeled some invented allegations as false but those specific falsehoods are separate from the 2025 mortgage dispute [10].
6. Political context and implicit agendas
Reporting shows the mortgage allegations are entwined with partisan objectives: Pulte and Ed Martin are described as Trump allies pushing probes of political foes, and the DOJ review was prompted in part because of concerns about possible political influence or improper tactics [6] [2]. Observers in the press frame the dispute as part of a broader cycle in which political actors use investigations to score points against opponents — a dynamic noted by both Schiff’s defenders and media coverage [8] [3].
7. Bottom line for readers
Multiple accusations against Adam Schiff exist: recent, widely reported mortgage-fraud accusations advanced by Trump-aligned officials and activists, and earlier partisan charges about his conduct during the Trump-era Russia probes. Major outlets report the DOJ is examining the handling of the mortgage investigation and that Schiff denies wrongdoing; the material in the public sources does not show a criminal conviction and focuses as much on investigative process and influence as on proven misconduct [1] [2] [9].