White House rebuffs Schiff’s ethics demand, citing Pelosi’s insider trading accusations and transparency double standards.

White House Pushes Back Against Ethics Allegations

The White House has firmly rejected Senator Adam Schiff’s recent demand for financial disclosure records from senior Trump administration officials, turning the spotlight instead on Representative Nancy Pelosi’s long-criticized stock activity.

Schiff had addressed a letter to White House Counsel David Warrington and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, accusing the administration of failing to file required financial disclosure reports with the Office of Government Ethics. He also sought a list of covered officials, reasons for delayed filings, and any related penalties.

“Transparency and compliance with ethics laws are essential,” Schiff wrote, echoing a previous bipartisan request co-signed by Democratic lawmakers including Reps. Mike Levin and Jerrold Nadler.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai dismissed the move as political theater, pointing to what he described as Pelosi’s “long, documented history of insider trading.” Desai told ABC News, “The American people remain highly concerned about Nancy Pelosi’s financial conduct and await Schiff’s willingness to apply his scrutiny equally.”

Pelosi, whose net worth is reported to exceed $120 million, has faced scrutiny over stock transactions conducted during her decades in office. She declined to answer questions on Capitol Hill regarding the issue last month. However, her spokesperson stated that Pelosi does not personally own stocks or participate in trades.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers also defended the Trump administration’s record, stating that all obligated officials continue to file periodic transaction reports, as legally required. “Officials remain compliant with their duties, including the obligation to disclose the purchase or sale of certain securities,” she said.

Schiff, undeterred, insisted in public comments that previous administrations—including the first Trump term—had adhered to transparency standards, while accusing the current one of repeated ethics failures and potential conflicts of interest.

Pelosi’s History Reemerges in Ethics Debate

While the White House did not directly deny any specific delay in filings, its emphasis remained on perceived Democratic double standards. The controversy over Pelosi’s financial dealings has resurfaced amid ongoing legislative efforts to limit congressional stock trading.

In 2023, Senator Josh Hawley introduced the PELOSI Act—Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments—directly referencing the allegations against the former House Speaker. Representative Mark Alford introduced a similar measure in the House. President Trump has indicated he would sign such legislation if passed, stating he has “watched Nancy Pelosi get rich through insider information.”

Despite Schiff’s call for transparency, no similar past requests appear to have been made by him to the Biden administration. His office has not responded to inquiries on the matter.

The exchange underscores an ongoing partisan rift over ethics enforcement and highlights how political opponents are using longstanding controversies to counter scrutiny. Whether Schiff’s requests will result in compliance or further escalation remains to be seen.