Adam Schiff authorized classified intel leaks to smear Trump during Russiagate, whistleblower claims
Now-Sen. Schiff (D-Calif.), then the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, openly discussed plans to reveal sensitive information about the Trump-Russia collusion probe starting soon after the 45th president's inauguration in 2017, the unidentified male whistleblower alleged.
During an FBI interview in June 2023, the source recalled being part of an all-staff meeting called by Schiff, at which the Democrat 'stated the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States Donald J. TRUMP. SCHIFF stated the information would be used to Indict President TRUMP.'
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The whistleblower said he objected to Schiff's idea, a summary of the interview reveals, only to be told by other participants that 'they would not be caught leaking classified information.'
Sometime later, the whistleblower said he was approached again about leaking against Trump and responded that they 'believed this activity to be unethical and treasonous.'
The whistleblower later reached out to the FBI and was even invited to attend a mock grand jury hearing, only to later be told that the Justice Department would not investigate further.
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Investigators believed Schiff, now 65, was protected by the Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause, which bars the apprehension of legislators for their professional activities except in the event of 'Felony, Treason and Breach of the Peace.'
The whistleblower claimed during his June 2023 interview that he 'did not believe' Schiff's actions were covered by the Speech or Debate Clause.
The whistleblower's claims were first reported by Just the News, with FBI Director Kash Patel confirming on X Monday night: 'We found it. We declassified it. Now Congress can see how classified info was leaked to shape political narratives – and decide if our institutions were weaponized against the American people.'
Patel previously worked as a top aide to former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) and authored a memo accusing FBI officials of abusing their power during the Trump-Russia investigation, which proceeded under the code name Crossfire Hurricane.
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The whistleblower, who worked for Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee for 12 years after more than two decades in the intelligence community, was described as 'friends with both Schiff and Nunes' and someone who 'worked with senior political leaders from both major political parties.'
However, an October 2017 FBI memo claimed that word was spreading among committee staff that the whistleblower had been fired for a 'perceived lack of party loyalty.' When a Republican staffer went to offer condolences, the memo relates, the whistleblower told them they had lost their job because 'there was an expectation of leaking and he refused to participate.'
Over drinks that evening, the whistleblower claimed that Democrats on the intelligence committee had established a 'system' for leaking in which sensitive information would be given to Schiff, 'after which a decision was made as to who would leak the information.'
One prominent oversharer, according to the whistleblower, was Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) another intel committee member.
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In a December 2017 FBI interview, the whistleblower recounted how a 'particularly sensitive document' was seen by a small group of lawmakers and staff, including Schiff and Swalwell, but leaked out 'almost verbatim' within a day. The whistleblower allegedly claimed to have 'been warned to be careful because he [Swalwell] had a reputation for leaking classified information.'
4 Sen. Adam Schiff had drawn suspicions of leaking during the first Trump administration.
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4 President Trump has seethed at Rep. Adam Schiff, who had been one of his top House Democratic adversaries during his first term.
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4 Russiagate loomed large over the first Trump administration.
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Schiff, who spearheaded the first impeachment of President Trump in 2019, had long been suspected by Republicans of leaking classified information during the Russiagate saga. He also infamously read key portions of the since-debunked Steele Dossier into the congressional record in 2017.
In 2023, House Republicans voted to censure Schiff for his role in Russiagate, only for him to be elected to the Senate the following year.
In the December 2017 interview, the whistleblower claimed that Schiff had been furious at Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton, believing he would have been tapped as CIA director had the Democrat won.
Last week, The Post reported that a grand jury has been convened in Maryland to investigate whether Schiff 'falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms.'
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4 FBI Director Kash Patel turned over the bureau's findings on the whistleblower's accusations to Congress.
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The California senator is accused of mortgage fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud and false statements to financial institutions for certifying a Maryland property as his primary residence while also claiming a California condominium as his main home for tax and mortgage purposes.
The FBI earlier this month initiated an investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan and ex-FBI Director James Comey for any potential criminal actions taken as part of the Trump-Russia probe.
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The Justice Department also launched a 'strike force' last month after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a long-anticipated, 44-page report from the House Intelligence Committee that found 'egregious' errors committed by Brennan in the compiling of an assessment that claimed Moscow preferred Trump to defeat Clinton.
Representatives for Schiff and Swalwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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