In what could be a significant development in the ongoing narrative of political use of intelligence, a whistleblower has come forward with serious allegations against Rep. Adam Schiff. The whistleblower, a Democratic staffer on the House Intelligence Committee, has accused Schiff of approving classified leaks to harm President Donald Trump during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.
The claims, made public through FBI memos obtained by Congress, suggest that Schiff, who is now a California senator, directed these leaks for political gain. This development raises profound questions about the intersection of intelligence, politics, and the rule of law.
According to the whistleblower, who has connections to both Schiff and former Republican committee chairman Devin Nunes, the leaking of information was not only unethical but also illegal and potentially treasonous. The memos reveal that Schiff allegedly reassured his staff that they were shielded by the Constitution’s speech and debate clause from any legal repercussions, although there is no formal legal opinion to confirm that such immunity extends to the leaks in question.
The FBI 302 documents show that the whistleblower was present at a staff meeting where Schiff is said to have stated the group's intention to use classified information to legally indict Trump. Although there were concerns raised about the legality of such actions, the whistleblower was reportedly assured that others involved would face no consequences.
This allegation comes amidst a backdrop of political turmoil, with the whistleblower recounting a shift in the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence's atmosphere during the 2016 election, describing the Democrat's reaction to Trump's victory as one of constitutional crisis. The whistleblower further notes that Schiff, who had expected a position as CIA director under a Hillary Clinton presidency, was deeply affected by the election's outcome.
The act of leaking classified information and influencing the media narrative was apparently aimed at promoting a Joint Inquiry into Russian interference, reminiscent of the 9/11 Commission. The whistleblower told FBI agents that the goal of the leaks was to "topple the administration."
Despite special counsel Robert Mueller's 2019 report finding no criminal collusion between Trump and Russia, Schiff has continued to promote the discredited Steele dossier and maintain allegations against Trump associates. These actions led to Schiff being censured by the House in 2023 for spreading false allegations and improperly accusing Trump associates.
Moreover, in January 2025, then-President Joe Biden issued a pardon for Schiff concerning his role related to the January 6 committee, a move Schiff deemed "unwise and unnecessary" but attributed to the threat of politically motivated prosecution.
The emergence of these FBI memos coincides with ongoing congressional investigations into the politicization of intelligence and law enforcement during Trump's administration, underscoring the unresolved questions surrounding accountability for unauthorized leaks.
