Trump Accuses Foes of Fraud: Cabinet Members Linked to Multiple Mortgages
Trump Allies Target Opponents with Mortgage fraud Claims
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A pattern of accusations of mortgage fraud leveled against political opponents of Donald Trump has emerged, spearheaded by Bill Pulte, a wealthy Trump donor. These allegations mirror similar claims Trump himself faced during his career, raising questions about selective enforcement and political motivations.
Dual Primary Residence Mortgages
Pulte has filed criminal referrals with the Justice Department alleging mortgage fraud against several individuals,including Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook,New York Attorney General Letitia James,and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff. The core of the allegations centers around the individuals holding concurrent primary-residence mortgages - claiming two homes as their primary residence together.
Sean Duffy, a former Congressman and current White House official, and his wife also have two primary-residence mortgages, one in New Jersey and one in Washington D.C. Duffy’s spokesperson stated the Washington D.C. home is not a rental, investment, or vacation property, and the bank was aware of his employment location. Both the White House and the bank maintain the classification of the mortgages as primary residences was their decision, not Duffy’s.
Lee Zeldin, the EPA administrator, and his wife similarly have two primary-residence mortgages, one in Shirley, New York, and another in Washington, D.C. An EPA spokesperson confirmed Zeldin’s primary residence has shifted to Washington, D.C., and asserted that all procedures were followed correctly.
Echoes of Trump’s Accusations against Schiff
The dual mortgage situation mirrors accusations Trump previously made against Senator Adam Schiff. Pulte referred Schiff to the Justice Department for obtaining a primary-residence mortgage in Maryland while claiming his primary home was in California. Schiff’s representatives refuted the allegations, stating lenders were aware of his bicoastal work obligations and his use of two homes.
Pulte also made similar allegations against letitia James, claiming she committed fraud by obtaining a primary-residence mortgage for a home in Virginia despite her position requiring her to live in New York. James’s lawyer stated she notified the mortgage broker the property wouldn’t be her primary residence and that the claims are politically motivated,especially given her fraud lawsuit against Trump.
Focus on Lisa Cook and the Federal Reserve
Pulte’s most notable allegations target Lisa Cook,a Federal Reserve governor. Trump has publicly criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, and pulte’s referral against Cook presents a potential avenue for Trump to influence the traditionally autonomous Fed by possibly securing a majority on the board through Cook’s removal. Cook is currently suing to block any attempts to terminate her.
Pulte alleges Cook signed primary-residence mortgages for homes in Michigan and Georgia within weeks of each other, and also flagged a property in Massachusetts classified differently in mortgage and financial disclosure documents. Cook’s lawyers deny fraud but haven’t provided detailed explanations.
Justice Department Investigation
The Justice Department has reportedly begun investigating all three individuals targeted by Pulte’s referrals, issuing subpoenas in Cook’s case.
Transparency and Second Homes
ProPublica’s review revealed that some Trump cabinet officials were transparent with lenders about purchasing second homes. For example, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s mortgage agreement for his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, explicitly designated it as a second home.