A Democrat whistleblower’s allegations, backed by newly declassified FBI interview reports, are now threatening to upend the political career of Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
If the whistleblower’s account is accurate and prosecutors pursue the case, Schiff could face not only career-ending political consequences but also staggering financial penalties and lengthy prison terms. As Tolman noted, the legal exposure could multiply quickly: “It depends on the counts in the indictment… The fine is up to $250,000 for every leak that’s charged.”
The claims date back to Schiff’s time in the U.S. House, when he served as the ranking member — and later chairman — of the House Intelligence Committee during the Trump–Russia investigation.
According to Just The News, the whistleblower, who worked for Democrats on the committee for more than a decade, repeatedly told the FBI starting in 2017 that Schiff had authorized leaking classified intelligence to the media to damage then-President Donald Trump.
The whistleblower said that in an all-staff meeting, Schiff declared that “the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States Donald J. Trump” and that the leaks “would be used to indict President Trump.”
The whistleblower claimed he immediately objected, telling Schiff the plan was “unethical and possibly treasonous,” but was assured by others that “we would not be caught leaking classified information.”
The source also told federal agents that Schiff believed he had been promised the position of CIA Director if Hillary Clinton won the 2016 election. The whistleblower identified Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) as a likely conduit for the leaks and said he was abruptly fired after raising the issue with the FBI.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the whistleblower says FBI leadership, including Director Christopher Wray, did nothing. He claims to have repeated the same account to agents from the bureau’s St. Louis office in 2023, again with no action taken.
Now, former U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman is warning of the potential penalties Schiff could face if prosecutors were to bring charges. In a conversation with political commentator Benny Johnson, Tolman explained that leaking classified information carries steep financial and criminal penalties.
“Yeah. I mean, the fine is up to $250,000 for every leak that’s charged, so it depends on the counts in the indictment,” Tolman told Johnson. “Also, keep in mind, some of the punishment hinges on the purpose of the classified leak or the possession of classified documentation illegally. The purpose becomes very important.”
Tolman said the context of the leak could prove decisive in determining punishment.
“I believe this was, in essence, the beginning of a conspiracy to take down a president, to impact his ability to lead,” he said. “There are other statutes — conspiracy statutes, interference with official proceedings, et cetera. A lot of people have a question about treason — ‘Is it treason?’ You probably don’t satisfy the elements for treason, but there are some related crimes that could come into play.”
Tolman added that if prosecutors found an intent “to undermine the United States,” the penalties could reach “up to 20 years in federal prison.”
The FBI’s inaction on the allegations fits into what critics describe as a pattern under Director Wray of shielding politically connected figures. Kash Patel, a former Trump administration official, has accused the bureau of ignoring serious misconduct while aggressively targeting political opponents.
Patel has pointed to the FBI’s use of confidential informants ahead of the Jan. 6 protests as proof that the agency had foreknowledge of events but failed to act appropriately.
Schiff has not yet issued a public response to the newly surfaced allegations. In the past, he has denied leaking classified material and characterized such claims as partisan attacks meant to discredit his oversight work.
Radical socialist Zohran Mamdani’s lead over former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the race to become the next mayor of New York City has narrowed to just 6.6 points — the tightest margin since July — according to a new AtlasIntel poll released Saturday.
The survey shows Mamdani leading with 40.6% of the vote, while Cuomo, running as an independent, has climbed to 34% just days before Tuesday’s election, The New York Post reported
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“The gap is closing fast — we can feel it on the ground everywhere from the Bronx to Staten Island. At this rate, we win the race. Keep going strong,” Cuomo said.
“Six points in this election is nothing,” he added while campaigning in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
Cuomo credited his late-campaign momentum to what he called a voter awakening about Mamdani’s unrealistic promises, including proposals for free bus service and city-run grocery stores.
“What has happened is, in the primary, Zohran got away with his TikTok band and a smile,” Cuomo said. “He had his slogans — ‘freeze the rent,’ ‘free buses,’ ‘free food’ — and that was enough. But now people have found out what he’s about.”
“There is no free food, there are no free buses, and he can’t raise corporate taxes statewide and dedicate them to New York City. That can’t happen,” Cuomo said.
AtlasIntel CEO Andrei Roman said Cuomo’s comeback underscores deep voter anxiety about Mamdani’s far-left agenda.
“From not being inspirational to being really hated and terrifying people — that’s a major difference,” Roman said. “That’s what’s happening with Mamdani.”
Roman added that Cuomo’s path to victory depends on consolidating moderate Democrats, independents, and disaffected Republican voters.
The new poll also gave Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa his highest mark since summer, showing him at 24.1%, up from 22% in a HarrisX survey in July.
The results sharply contrast with two earlier polls that showed Mamdani holding a comfortable double-digit lead.
A Fox News poll released Thursday had Mamdani at 47%, Cuomo at 31%, and Sliwa at 15%.
An Emerson College poll the same day showed Mamdani at 50%, Cuomo at 25%, and Sliwa at 21%.
RealClearPolitics’ polling average still gives Mamdani a 14.5-point advantage, with 45% support to Cuomo’s 31% and Sliwa’s 17%.
However, the AtlasIntel numbers suggest the race may be shifting rapidly in its closing days.
In a hypothetical two-man race without Sliwa, the poll found Cuomo would lead Mamdani 50% to 42%.
Political analysts say that the result reflects growing frustration with Mamdani’s anti-police positions and statements critical of Israel — views that have alienated moderate Democrats and Jewish voters in key boroughs.
Mamdani appeared at an event in Harlem on Saturday at Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, where he brushed off suggestions of a tightening race.
“I’m not worried at all,” he told reporters. “I continue to be confident, but I never let that confidence become complacency.”
Cuomo, meanwhile, spent Saturday in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, where he told supporters there is “no way” Sliwa can win.
“He can only make Zohran Mamdani win,” Cuomo said.
The AtlasIntel poll surveyed registered voters from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 and has a margin of error of three percentage points.
According to the New York City Board of Elections, nearly half a million residents have already voted early, a significant increase over 2021 turnout levels.
With the election just days away, Mamdani’s once-commanding lead has now narrowed into a fight that could go down to the wire.