A whistleblower, identified as a Democratic intelligence officer who served on the House Intelligence Committee for over a decade, repeatedly informed the FBI starting in 2017 that then-Rep. Adam Schiff authorized the leaking of classified information related to the Russia collusion investigation to undermine President Donald Trump. According to declassified FBI 302 interview reports released by FBI Director Kash Patel to Congress, the whistleblower described witnessing Schiff convene an all-staff meeting where he allegedly directed the group to leak derogatory classified details about Trump, believing it would lead to his indictment. The documents, obtained by outlets like Just The News, detail how the whistleblower viewed these actions as a deliberate effort to propagate the “Russia Hoax,” with Schiff reportedly motivated by personal and political spite. This revelation has been hailed as a “bombshell” by White House officials, including Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who emphasized its implications for exposing corruption in the Russiagate narrative. Critics on X, including conservative voices like Sen. Marsha Blackburn, have amplified the claim, asserting it confirms long-held suspicions of Democratic misconduct.
The whistleblower further warned FBI agents that Schiff dismissed concerns about the leaks being “unethical,” “illegal,” and “treasonous,” insisting he was protected under the Constitution’s Speech and Debate Clause. Reports indicate the whistleblower implicated Rep. Eric Swalwell as a potential source of the leaks and noted Schiff’s alleged expectation of becoming CIA Director if Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Despite these repeated allegations, including a 2023 interview where the whistleblower claimed to have been fired for reporting the issue, DOJ officials reportedly showed little interest in pursuing Schiff, citing the same constitutional protection. Conservative media, such as Fox News and the New York Post, have highlighted how the leaks contributed to a media frenzy that damaged Trump’s presidency, with the whistleblower portraying Schiff as prioritizing political vendettas over national security. On X, users rallied around the “MAGA” sentiment, viewing this as validation of Trump’s claims of a rigged system.
Schiff’s office has vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them “absolutely and categorically false” and a politically motivated “smear” orchestrated by Trump allies to distract from other issues, such as the release of Epstein files. In statements to Fox News and the Washington Examiner, Schiff’s team described the whistleblower as a disgruntled former staffer whose claims lack substantiation and were previously dismissed. Some X posts and reports suggest the whistleblower was deemed unreliable by Trump’s DOJ and an Inspector General, though details remain sparse in declassified materials. While supporters on X dismiss the denials as typical deflection, the controversy underscores deep partisan divides, with no immediate legal action against Schiff despite calls from Republicans for accountability. This episode revives debates over intelligence handling, with Schiff maintaining his focus on democratic integrity amid the backlash.
