Adam Schiff Authorized Leaks to Smear Trump: Whistleblower
U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff speaking with attendees at the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at the George R. Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.
A bombshell whistleblower claim rocked the political landscape, alleging that then-Representative Adam Schiff authorized the leaking of classified intelligence in 2017 with the goal of undermining President Donald Trump. This explosive revelation, emerging from a Democratic insider who worked closely with Schiff on the House Intelligence Committee, has been seized upon by the White House as a dramatic political strike amid the lingering controversies of Russiagate.
A Whistleblower's Shocking Account
The whistleblower, a career intelligence officer and Democratic staffer on the House Intelligence Committee for more than a decade, told FBI agents that Schiff personally green-lit a plan to selectively leak damaging classified information about President Trump during the FBI's investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, as reported by the New York Post. According to the whistleblower, Schiff convened an all-staff meeting where he stated "the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States Donald J. [Trump]" and that "the information would be used to Indict President [Trump]." The whistleblower reportedly objected, calling the plan "unethical" and "treasonous," but was reassured by others that they would not be caught.
This insider's account paints a picture of a coordinated effort within the Democratic minority leadership of the Intelligence Committee to weaponize classified information for political gain. The whistleblower described a "system" in which sensitive documents were funneled to Schiff, who then decided who would leak the information to the media, as reported by the New York Post. One committee member, Representative Eric Swalwell, was reportedly singled out as a frequent leaker, a claim he dismissed defiantly.
White House Calls It a 'Bombshell'
The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded swiftly to the revelations, calling the whistleblower's testimony a "bombshell," according to Fox News, and urging the media to treat it as such.
"I understand Kash Patel, last night, declassified a 302 FBI document showing that a whistleblower, who is a Democrat, a career intelligence officer who worked for Democrats on the House Intel Committee for more than a decade, repeatedly warned the FBI in 2017 that then-Rep. Adam Schiff had approved leaking classified information to smear then President Donald Trump over the Russiagate scandal," she continued.
Patel, a former aide to Republican House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes, has been vocal about alleged abuses during the Trump-Russia investigation. His involvement in declassifying the whistleblower's statements adds fuel to the ongoing debate about the politicization of intelligence agencies. The White House has indicated that the FBI and Department of Justice will investigate the matter further, with Congress expected to play a role in uncovering how political power may have been weaponized.
Schiff's Swift Denial and Political Fallout
Senator Adam Schiff, who served as the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee during the Russiagate investigation and later became a U.S. senator, has denied the allegations. His spokesperson dismissed the claims as "absolutely and categorically false," according to the Daily Mail, labeling them as part of a series of defamatory attacks aimed at distracting from other political controversies, including the Epstein files scandal. The spokesperson also noted that the whistleblower was a "disgruntled former staffer" who was fired for cause, including harassment and potentially compromising activities, and whose allegations were found to be unreliable and unsubstantiated by independent investigations.
Despite Schiff's denials, the claims have reignited partisan tensions. Republicans have long suspected Schiff of leaking classified information during the Russiagate saga, and his role in the first impeachment of Trump only intensified political animosities. The House of Representatives even voted to censure Schiff in 2023 for his conduct during the investigation, though he was elected to the Senate the following year.
The Legal and Constitutional Questions
The whistleblower's testimony also raises complex legal questions about the protections afforded to members of Congress under the Speech or Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This clause shields legislators from prosecution for actions taken as part of their official duties, except in cases of felony, treason, or breach of the peace. Schiff and his defenders argue that his actions fall within this protection, while the whistleblower contends that authorizing leaks of classified information for political purposes should not be covered.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi has reportedly appointed a special attorney to investigate Schiff's alleged mortgage fraud, a separate but politically charged probe that Schiff claims is retaliation for his role in Russiagate. The intertwining of these investigations underscores the high stakes and deep divisions surrounding political secrecy and accountability.
The Spectacle of Partisan Weaponization
This unfolding saga highlights the intense partisan battles that have defined American politics in recent years. The Russiagate investigation, once hailed as a serious inquiry into foreign interference, has become a symbol of political weaponization, with both sides accusing the other of abusing intelligence and law enforcement for political ends. The whistleblower's claims add a new chapter to this story, suggesting that classified information was deliberately leaked to damage a sitting president.
For the public, these revelations may deepen cynicism about the fairness and integrity of political institutions. The idea that intelligence could be manipulated to serve partisan goals raises fears about the erosion of democratic norms and the potential for double standards in justice. As investigations proceed, the question remains whether accountability will be applied evenly or if political allegiances will continue to shape outcomes.
A Nation Watches
As this political drama unfolds, the nation watches closely. The whistleblower's explosive claims have reignited debates about the boundaries of political power, the use of classified information, and the quest for justice in a deeply divided America. Whether these allegations lead to legal consequences or fade into partisan noise remains to be seen, but the thunderclap they delivered will echo through the halls of power for months to come.
References: Adam Schiff approved intel leaks to smear Trump, thought he'd be CIA chief if Hillary Clinton won: whistleblower | Trump goes ballistic on top Democrat after seeing 'irrefutable proof' he tried to take him down in leaked plot | Daily Mail Online | White House calls FBI whistleblower Schiff leak claims 'bombshell' | Fox News
