By John Q. Hosedrinker 
ProPublica’s investigation reveals that the Trump administration, which has vowed to pursue those who misrepresented their primary residences on mortgage applications, could face scrutiny within its own Cabinet. At least three Cabinet members—Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Sean Duffy, and Lee Zeldin—have obtained primary-residence mortgages for multiple properties concurrently. These findings, discovered through financial disclosures and mortgage records, mirror the types of loans that have been cited to target political rivals for potential mortgage fraud. While real estate experts note the practice is common and rarely prosecuted, the administration’s focus on this issue could create a conflict of interest, as some of its own members may have engaged in the same practice.
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Trump Is Accusing Foes With Multiple Mortgages of Fraud. Records Show 3 of His Cabinet Members Have Them.
It seems there’s a new wrinkle in the ongoing drama surrounding Donald Trump, and, well, it’s a doozy. He’s been publicly targeting his political opponents, including even a Federal Reserve governor, for having multiple mortgages, specifically those that might involve claiming a property as their primary residence when it wasn’t. And, as ProPublica revealed, it turns out that at least three of his own cabinet members had similar situations. Talk about a pot calling the kettle black, right?
Now, the issue here isn’t just about hypocrisy, though that’s certainly a factor. The core of the matter is that Trump, a man who has been found guilty of financial fraud himself, is weaponizing this issue as a political cudgel. He’s effectively trying to turn what can be a somewhat gray area of real estate financing into a criminal accusation, and that’s where it gets dangerous. There’s an echo of his past, as he was involved in a legal case in New York where he fraudulently reported different values for his properties on his tax forms.
The accusations are like a dark mirror, and this tactic is nothing new for Trump. His rhetoric seems to be turning into threatening criminal investigations for his enemies. This is something that should cause concern among everyone. What’s at stake is far more than just mortgage details. It’s about the integrity of the legal system itself and the erosion of trust in government.
The reality is that many people have multiple mortgages for various reasons, and there are legitimate circumstances where someone might have multiple properties and claim one as a primary residence while they work, live, or for investment purposes. It can get complicated, with things like work relocation and needing a place in another state. Banks are often more concerned with due diligence during the loan process, as real estate lawyer Doug Miller points out, loan officers sometimes advise people to sign on for a specific loan that isn’t intended for their primary residence, which may or may not violate loan terms.
The real issue, however, is not just the existence of multiple mortgages. It is about the intent, and the manipulation, and the way this situation plays out in the political arena. This is where Trump’s actions become especially troubling. It’s a deliberate attempt to discredit opponents, distract from his own legal troubles, and further divide the country. It’s a tactic straight out of the authoritarian playbook: accuse your enemies of what you yourself are guilty of.
The implications here are significant. If Trump and his allies are successful in turning this into a legitimate line of attack, it will have a chilling effect on anyone who dares to disagree with them. It would create a climate of fear, where people are afraid to speak out or challenge the narrative, lest they be targeted by investigations or other forms of retribution. The current situation is only going to reinforce the idea that there’s one set of rules for Trump and his supporters and another set for everyone else.
The fact that some Republicans may not recognize this as a bridge too far is also concerning. It’s further evidence of the growing power of Trumpism and the willingness of many in the party to overlook or even condone his increasingly authoritarian tactics. Trump confirms every day that he’s the most ignorant president in history, and uses words and actions to weaken our democracy.
This whole episode highlights how the core of the issue is Trump’s casual fraud, where the wealthy and corporations have routinely gotten away with things most of us could not. His defense of “everybody does it” is a classic move, but it’s also a blatant admission of guilt.
The key here is to recognize this as a clear and present danger to our democracy. We need to call out the hypocrisy, hold Trump accountable for his actions, and resist any attempt to weaponize the legal system for political gain. We must expose the underlying motivations, and refuse to be intimidated by his tactics. It’s about defending the principles of fairness, justice, and the rule of law, and it’s about ensuring that no one is above the law, not even the former president.