Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) is under scrutiny following newly declassified FBI documents and whistleblower statements alleging he authorized the leaking of classified information during his time as chair of the House Intelligence Committee.
The allegations, if proven, could carry serious legal and political consequences.
According to the documents, the controversy dates back to 2017 during the Trump–Russia investigation. A whistleblower—described as a former Democratic intelligence staffer—claimed Schiff encouraged the selective release of classified information to media outlets to politically damage then-President Trump.
The whistleblower said concerns he raised about potential ethical violations were dismissed, and he later faced retaliation for speaking up.
The whistleblower reported the alleged misconduct to the FBI’s Washington office and later approached agents in St. Louis in 2023. However, he claimed his complaints were never investigated, raising concerns about possible protection of politically powerful figures. The situation has renewed criticism of perceived uneven enforcement of laws regarding classified material.
Legal experts have stated that knowingly leaking classified national security information can result in up to 10 years in prison per count under federal law. Other potential charges could include abuse of office or obstruction of justice, depending on what investigators may find. No formal indictment or Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation has been announced.
The whistleblower further alleged that Schiff had aspirations for a top intelligence position under a different administration and maintained close ties to select journalists during the investigation. Some claim his public handling of sensitive information blurred the line between oversight and politics, though Schiff has previously denied any wrongdoing.
Calls for accountability have intensified among lawmakers. Critics argue that if the allegations are true, they represent a serious breach of public trust. The matter is now viewed as a key test of how the justice system handles potential misconduct by high-ranking elected officials.
