Sen. Adam Schiff is under federal investigation for mortgage fraud after the Federal Housing Finance Agency sent a criminal referral to the Department of Justice, Newsmax reported. The California Democrat is accused of falsifying documents claiming two primary residences to obtain favorable terms on home loans and taxes.
Schiff certified that a residence he and his wife purchased in Potomac, Maryland, in 2003 was their primary residence. The purchase price was $870,000, and the Schiffs secured a $610,000 loan backed by Fannie Mae because they claimed it as their primary home.
Meanwhile, Schiff was claiming the same status on a condo he purchased in Burbank, California. At the time, he was representing the Golden State as a congressman, which would have required California residency.
When Schiff refinanced the Maryalynd home between 2009 and 2013, he once again made the Maryland home his primary residence, allowing for better interest rates and loan terms. He also certified the same in a 2011 affidavit. Meanwhile, the 65-year-old lawmaker was still benefiting from a $7,000 property tax break in California by simultaneously claiming the Burbank condo was his primary residence.
The FHFA referred the matter in May to the U.S. Attorney's Office. FHFA Director William Pulte sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stating that "Mr. Adam B. Schiff has, in multiple instances, falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms, impacting payments from 2003-2019 for a Potomac, Maryland-based property," Pulte wrote, according to Fox News.
"As regulators of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, we take very seriously allegations of mortgage fraud or other criminal activity. Such misconduct jeopardizes the safety and soundness of FHFA’s regulated entities and the security and stability of the U.S. mortgage market," Pulte added.
Indeed, a 2023 letter doubled down on the assertion that Schiff resided in California, where he received a 1% tax property tax break for living there full time. "Adam’s primary residence is Burbank, California, and will remain so when he wins the Senate seat," the letter said.
When CNN inquired about it that year, the California Democrat seemed to admit the alleged fraud. "Adam’s California and Maryland addresses have been listed as primary residences for loan purposes because they are both occupied throughout the year and to distinguish them from a vacation property," a letter from Schiff's spokesperson said at the time.
Now, Pulte believes Schiff "appears to have falsified records in order to receive favorable loan terms, and also appears to have been aware of the financial benefits of a primary residence mortgage when compared to a secondary residence mortgage." With the mounting evidence, the federal housing authority believes he may have committed bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and made false statements to financial institutions.
Schiff spent so much time and energy attacking President Donald Trump, but now the tables have turned when news broke of the potential scandal. In a post to his Truth Social last month, Trump unleashed on Schiff as the matter was being referred for further investigation.
"I have always suspected Shifty Adam Schiff was a scam artist. And now I learn that Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division have concluded that Adam Schiff has engaged in a sustained pattern of possible Mortgage Fraud. 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 on July 15.
"I always knew Adam Schiff was a Crook. The FRAUD began with the refinance of his Maryland property on February 6, 2009, and continued through multiple transactions until the Maryland property was correctly designated as a second home on October 13, 2020. Mortgage Fraud is very serious, and CROOKED Adam Schiff (now a Senator) needs to be brought to justice," Trump said.
As a lawmaker, Schiff was certainly sophisticated enough to understand the difference between a primary residence and a secondary or vacation home when securing loans. If the allegations are factual, Schiff was peddling lies that were easy to verify as false, and he should suffer the legal consequences if he is found guilty.
A group of Democrats from Texas was forced to briefly evacuate their hotel near Chicago on Wednesday after a bomb scare.
Police in St. Charles performed a "thorough search" of the hotel around 7:15 a.m and found nothing.
"In response to the threat, 400 people were immediately evacuated and the area was secured as bomb squad units conducted their investigation," the police said in a statement. "Following clearance from authorities, all guests and staff have safely returned to the premises."
More than 50 Democrats fled Texas this week to block a contentious redistricting plan that would give Republicans an advantage.
Leading Democrats including former President Barack Obama, who has ties to Chicago, have condemned the Texas plan as a threat to democracy.
Republicans have accused Democrats of hypocrisy, pointing to gerrymandered maps that favor Democrats heavily, especially in Illinois. Democrats in the state control 14 out of its 17 House districts.
While it is not clear if the bomb scare was targeted, Democrats painted it as a politically motivated threat to democracy.
“This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated,” the state's Democrats said in the statement.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) blamed the bomb scare on a right-wing podcaster "who took a video of where they're staying, posted it, put a map up to point to exactly what hotel they're at."
He said police are "going to seek out, hunt down and arrest the perpetrators."
The Texas Democrats have said they will run out the clock on a two-week special session, leading the state's Republican leaders to threaten drastic consequences.
The controversy has led to some jockeying among the state's top Republicans, including Governor Greg Abbott and attorney general Ken Paxton, who clashed over who has the authority to seek the removal of the absentee Democrats, as well as Senator John Cornyn, who is being challenged by Paxton in a GOP primary.
Abbott and Cornyn have both said the FBI is working to track down the Texas Democrats, and Abbott has asked the state Supreme Court to expel Rep. Gene Wu, the "ringleader" of the House boycott. He has also said Democrats could face bribery charges for benefits received relating to their travel.
"Texas DPS and the FBI are tracking down the derelict Democrats. They will be taken directly to the Texas Capitol,” Abbott wrote on X.
“Those who received benefits for skipping a vote face removal from office and potential bribery charges,” he continued. “In Texas, there are consequences for your actions."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The administration of President Donald Trump has released reams of previously secret government documents that now document the manipulations and machinations of those in the Barack Obama administration to try to torpedo Trump.
That includes evidence that the highest officials in the land, from Obama on down through then-Vice President Joe Biden and twice-failed Democrat nominee Hillary Clinton and more conspired to create lies linking Trump's campaign to Russia, the "Russiagate" ideology, leaving multiple federal laws in tatters.
Those agendas and actions, now revealed, have triggered developing congressional and Department of Justice investigations into those individuals who, reports have confirmed, could face felony counts. They also likely are not protected by a statute of limitations argument, even though the events date back years, because that time frame starts running only when the conspiracy's last events are uncovered.
Now one facet that remains to be investigated – and possibly prosecuted – has been revealed by Federalist, which reported that the FBI never investigated allegations then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch "coordinated with the Clinton campaign to suppress Hillary Clinton's email server scandal."
In that scenario, Clinton was under fire for placing national security secrets on a private computer server in her home.
At the time, James Comey, then of the FBI, bypassed protocols and arbitrarily announced no prosecutor would pursue such a case, essentially giving Clinton a pass.
The details have come out of the Clinton annex, a cache of documents released by Sen. Chuck Grassley, as well as the Durham Appendix, more recently released.
Those documents now appear "to confirm long-held suspicions about how the Clinton investigation was handled," the report explained.
Among the details now emerging are communications between senior Open Society official Leonard Benardo, another foundation figure, Jeffrey Goldstein, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, then the head of the Democrat National Committee, the report said.
For example, one memo explains that during a conversation with Goldstein, Schultz revealed Obama of pressuring Comey, through Lynch, to shut the investigation down, because it was damaging the Democrats and "threatening Obama's legacy."
The report said Schultz stated, "Obama has no intention to darken the final part of his presidency and 'legacy' by the scandal surrounding the main contender from the DP [Democratic Party]. To solve the problem, the President puts pressure on FBI Director James Comey through Attorney General Lynch, however, so far without concrete results."
A later conversation between the two made it worse, ""The political director of the Hillary Clinton staff Amanda Renteria regularly receives information from Attorney General Loretta Lynch on the plans and intentions of the FBI."
The Federalist noted, "If true, this would mean that while the FBI was actively investigating Clinton, the sitting Attorney General was secretly updating her campaign on its progress, compromising not only the DOJ's independence, but the entire premise of equal justice under law."
And the memo states Obama "sanctioned the use of all administrative levers to remove possibly negative effects from the FBI investigation of cases related to the Clinton Foundation and the email correspondence in the State Department."
The report cited original documentation to note that when confronted, Lynch was "stone-faced" and said nothing about the memos.
The report said substantiation for the information in the government documents is yet to be available, but "we do know that other parts of the same intelligence stream — specifically details of the Clinton plan to smear Trump with false Russia allegations — align perfectly with events as they unfolded."
The report said, "That leaves us with plausible intelligence suggesting the sitting attorney general may have secretly assured Clinton allies that the FBI's criminal investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails would go nowhere."
The report added, "Even Lynch's alleged insistence that Comey publicly refer to the Clinton probe as a 'matter' rather than an 'investigation' suggested a deliberate effort to downplay and contain the scandal, an effort further underscored by her infamous secret tarmac meeting with Bill Clinton just days before the email investigation was closed."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The U.S. Army lifted its lockdown at Fort Stewart in Georgia on Wednesday after an active shooter incident caused at least five casualties among U.S. soldiers.
The five injured soldiers are all in stable condition, and the suspect, a U.S. Army sergeant at the base, is in custody after being tackled by fellow soldiers.
The suspect is identified as Sgt. Quornelius Radford, assigned to a sustainment unit in the 2nd Brigade at Ft. Stewart.
"The shooting occurred at the soldier's place of work," said Brig. Gen. John Lubas, 3rd Infantry commanding general. "I would also like to thank the brave soldiers who immediately intervened and subdued the shooter. These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties."
"It was not a military weapon. It was a personal handgun."
"We're still not certain about the motivations."
Fox News reported that the five shots were soldiers who were treated at the scene before being transported to a local hospital.
"We are currently assessing the situation, but we can confirm an active shooter," Lt. Col. Angel Tomko said.
The Associated Press reports: "A post on Fort Stewart's Facebook page told all personnel in the locked down area to 'stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors.'"
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "The President has been briefed on the shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia. The White House is monitoring the situation."
The shooting reportedly began in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area.
Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River, with 15,000 active duty soldiers.
Gov. Brian Kemp said on X: "As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by today's tragedy at Ft. Stewart. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Law-enforcement officials in the state of Florida have announced the arrests of 48 suspected child predators, who now have been charged with a laundry list of 153 counts.
"As a father, I am outraged by the heinous crimes we spoke about today. As Attorney General, I'm proud of the brave officers behind this record-breaking operation," explained Attorney General James Uthmeier in his announcement of the arrests.
"They came after children, but Florida and federal law enforcement were waiting for them. Thanks to the Marion County Sheriff's Office for putting this operation together so these men were stopped before they could harm a single child."
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods was part of the operation, and added, "My office routinely conducts these types of operations. With each operation, we catch more and more. The number of offenders only goes up.
"Parents, we will never arrest every single one of them. You have to know what your child is doing online, and children have to know what dangers are lurking online. As a sheriff and as a father, I understand the anger and disgust a parent has towards these types of individuals. I assure you that we will continue to attack this plague head on."
Among the suspects are six foreign nationals who were flagged with ICE detainers.
The six-day operation targeted online child predators and was coordinated by Woods' office.
"Sheriff Woods and his deputies did an outstanding job catching and removing 40 predators from the Central Florida community," said Bill Gladson, state attorney for the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Uthmeier's office worked with nine law enforcement agencies across the region.
The operation, targeting those who used social media or other communications, apparently to target the children for sex, exposed the use of Snapchat as a platform to target children, the report said.
"Predators used various online chat and gaming platforms, including Snapchat, in an attempt to message and meet with minors, who were actually undercover officers," the AG reported.
His office is suing Snapchat for "knowingly and willingly violating Florida law, including the protections enshrined in last year's HB3 and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act."
It charges that the company is actively deceiving parents about the risks associated with using the platform.
Among the charges: 34 counts of traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual contact, 48 counts of using a computer to solicit a child for sexual conduct, 40 counts of unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony, and many more.
The Washington Stand called the operation a "powerful blow" against child predators.
Uthmeier said, "To go after young kids, there is no defense, there is no justification, there is no excuse."
The suspected offenders were trying to meet up with children, who were actually law enforcement officers playing an online role.
The report noted Joseph Backholm, Family Research Council's senior fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement, told the Stand, "It's wonderful that Florida and other law enforcement agencies around the country are dealing with this seriously."
But he said the source still needs to be attacked.
"The problem of human trafficking begins where all sin begins, with pride. Once you decide you are more important than others, it's not hard to decide that other people should serve your needs. Human trafficking and sexual exploitation are the worst examples of this, but far from the only examples."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The white woman who was knocked unconscious last month by a black mob in Cincinnati broke down in tears Wednesday as she reacted to the outpouring of love and financial support she's receiving from the public.
"My little one who needs the help, we were going to be on the streets. I just don't even know what to say!" cried Holly, who covered her face as she burst into tears during an interview with Benny Johnson, the journalist who created her GiveSendGo fundraiser page.
As of Wednesday, total donations were approximately $530,000, with gifts from across America including one from Hollywood actor Charlie Sheen.
Through her crying, Holly said she was impressed by "the love from everyone and the humanity and the wishes and the peace.
"It just made me see how many people out there are still good because for so long I thought the whole country was full of shame and hate.
"I just want you all to know, too, that you guys have a community of love. I don't even know what to say. You're all just beautiful humans and let's just keep moving forward with love."
Johnson noted: "You haven't just shown kindness, you've saved a life. God bless every one of you. Remember, we are America."
Online reaction to Holly's tears includes:
"This is so raw and real and touching – I'm humbled to be a part of the community of Americans who came together to support this woman and her family."
"This brought tears to my eyes. Holly's strength and gratitude are incredibly moving. It's amazing to see people come together in love and compassion a true reminder of the heart and soul of this country. Praying for her continued healing and safety."
"God Bless the true American spirit that shows love when we need it most."
"This is very heartbreaking makes me sad and angry, at the same time!!! GOD BLESS YOU, HOLLY!!!!!"
"The American people are the best! It's unfortunate that a small segment of our society cause pain and suffering to their fellow Americans! There are more good people in this country than bad and it's not even close!"
"This is so touching. Nothing more American than rallying around in total support no questions asked! Amen!"
"This must be overwhelming. Of course several Cincinnati leaders are stuck that the brawl was not targeted. Can you imagine what the press would be had been if a white group beat a middle age woman of color for trying to break up a fight? Downtown needs to feel a boycott."
"The Democrats' campaign of hate, terrorism, and mob violence must stop. Politicians who continue to incite and endorse racial and political violence must be prosecuted and imprisoned, or sued civilly, and bankrupted. I hope Holly secures the best law firms available and launches civil suits against the mayor and police commissioner of Cincinnati and the others involved in creating the conditions of the attack, to completely bankrupt them as it seems clear that this is the only way things will change. Hopefully, she can take some of the donated money and move to a safer place to live."
The FBI announced a fifth person allegedly involved in the vicious beatings was arrested this week, and is reportedly Holly's personal attacker.
Patrick Rosemond was taken into custody in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday afternoon, and is facing charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot.
WLWT-TV in Cincinnati reported: "Rosemond is the suspect accused of hitting the victim named Holly."
A battle over redistricting escalated on Monday when Texas Republicans moved to arrest Democrats who fled the state in an effort to block the adoption of a new congressional map.
The Texas House voted 85-6 to arrest and bring back dozens of Democrats who traveled to Illinois and other blue states.
"The sergeant-at-arms and any officers appointed by her are directed to send for all absentees whose attendance is not excused for the purposes of securing and maintaining their attendance under warrant of arrest, if necessary, until further order of the House," said Republican Rep. Dustin Burrows, the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
The Democrats' absence means lawmakers do not have a quorum to conduct business. Abbott called a special legislative session, which lasts two weeks.
It is not clear how the arrest warrants will be enforced outside of Texas, but Governor Greg Abbott (R) has threatened to pursue criminal charges when the Democrats eventually return.
The governor called for state police to "locate, arrest, and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans."
Every day the Democrats are absent, they incur a $500 fine, which could place them on the hook for bribery, Abbott said.
"It would be bribery if any lawmaker took money to perform or to refuse to perform an act in the legislature," Abbott told Fox News on Monday.
"And the reports are these legislators have both sought money and offered money to skip the vote, to leave the legislature, to take a legislative act. That would be bribery."
The state's Republicans are advancing a map that would potentially add five Republican seats and help the party maintain its hold on the House in the midterm elections.
The Trump-backed push has led Democrats in blue states to declare "war," although many states controlled by Democrats are already skewed heavily in the party's favor.
Illinois, the state most of the Texas Democrats are taking refuge in, is widely considered to have one of the most partisan congressional maps in the country, with 14 out of 17 House seats being won by Democrats in the last election.
While states typically redistrict after the decennial census, some Democratic governors have threatened to jump the gun and devise new maps mid-decade.
"Whatever they are doing [in Texas] will be neutered here in the state of California, and they will pay that price," California Governor Gavin Newsom said.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to federalize the government of the District of Columbia after a DOGE employee was brutally attacked on the street.
In a post on TruthSocial, the president also advocated for loosening the law to allow for the prosecution of people as young as 14 as adults.
Wrote Trump: "The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these 'minors' as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14. The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs.
"Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see," Trump added. "If D.C. doesn't get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they're not going to get away with it anymore."
The post included an image of a young man "beat up by a bunch of thugs in D.C.," whom Trump later referred to as someone from DOGE. According to the Gateway Pundit, the man was DOGE team member Edward Coristine — known as "Big Balls" from the early days of DOGE under Elon Musk — allegedly beaten by eight black teens after he stopped to defend a woman who was being assaulted.
Trump referred to the incident at an event celebrating plans for the Summer Olympic Games slated for Los Angeles in 2028.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
FBI Director Kash Patel, along with federal law-enforcement resources, has been enlisted to help state authorities track down and arrest Democrat Texas lawmakers who've fled to Illinois to prevent the Republican-controlled legislature from approving a redistricting plan that favors the GOP.
As reported by the Gateway Pundit, Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn Monday sent a letter to Patel, urging the FBI to deploy federal resources to assist in the Democrats' arrest.
"I have asked FBI Director Kash to work with Greg Abbott & Texas law enforcement to investigate potential CRIMINAL acts, including bribery, and to hold legislators accountable who have fled the state in a shameful attempt to stall the legislative process in the Texas House," Cornyn wrote on X.
Wrote Cornyn in his letter: "As a maneuver to avoid legislative responsibilities, on August 3, 2025, many members in the Texas House of Representatives absconded from the state.
"Their stated goal was to prevent the legislature from properly meeting, in violation of their oath of office. By leaving the State of Texas, these legislators intend to prevent the existence of a quorum in the Texas House of Representatives. Without a quorum, no legislative activity can proceed."
The new Trump-approved map under consideration in a special legislative session redraws the state's congressional district in a way that likely would mean five additional Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a fiery statement Monday condemning Democrat lawmakers who fled the state in a coordinated effort to derail the Texas Legislature and vowed to arrest them.
"I am prepared to do everything in my power to hold them accountable because these liberal lawmakers are not above the law," said Paxton. "It's imperative that they be swiftly arrested, punished, and face the full force of the law for turning their backs on the people of Texas."
The process of denying quorum has been used in multiple states and by both parties as a means of stalling or quashing legislation proposed by the majority party.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A female police officer in the Houston area is now under investigation after posting a video on TikTok in which she threatened to give everyone a ticket because she did not have sex the previous night.
Harris County Constable Precinct 5 Deputy Jennifer Escalera was in uniform as she recorded herself writing on a notepad.
"Din't get cracked last night so everyone is getting a ticket…" Escalera indicated in her now-deleted video.
Although she blurred portions of her uniform, the officer left her name tag visible.
"Our administration is aware and internal affairs has opened an investigation. We have no other comment at this time," the constable's office said.
The New York Post reported: "The female cop's TikTok account features several posts showing her in uniform. She also posts about being a mom.
"One of the posts shows Escalera getting ready 'to work as a female Police Officer' as the text across the screen reads, 'contemplating if I really need this job, knowing that I do.'"
Local Texans were said to be outraged.
"I think it's really inappropriate and disrespectful," resident Alex Fitch told Fox 26 in Houston.
"Not as much distrust, but you can't rely on them. It makes them look unprofessional when they start posting videos like that. You can't take them seriously," Fitch said.
"Then they wonder why, when you see them, they say, 'Why don't you respect me?' or, 'Why are you talking to me like that?' Well, you don't treat yourself like a woman, and you ain't treating yourself like a police officer."
Another Precinct 5 resident who didn't want to be identified agreed with Fitch: "It's very unprofessional. You shouldn't be doing things like that. When you're a professional, you carry yourself a certain way. What you do outside of work is cool, but I don't think she should've done that."