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.
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 informed federal agents that Schiff believed he had received a promise to become the CIA Director should Hillary Clinton win 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.
Texas firebrand Rep. Chip Roy is leading a new Republican push to deport Sharia-law followers from the United States and crack down on radical groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood.
“America is facing an existential threat — the spread of Sharia Law,” Roy warned in a blistering statement. “From Texas to every state in the union, instances of Sharia Law adherents have threatened the American way of life, seeking to replace our legal system and Constitution with an incompatible ideology that diminishes the rights of women, children, and individuals of different faiths.”
Roy, who’s also running for Texas attorney general, said Europe’s experience with radical Islamist enclaves should serve as a warning to the U.S.
“Europe should be a wakeup call to America, showing what the spread of Sharia law looks like — the erosion of the West,” Roy said. “America’s immigration system must be fortified to counter the importation of Sharia adherents — the preservation of our constitutional republic and its people depend on it.”
The measure would direct top federal officials — including the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security and the Attorney General — to “deny any immigration benefit, visa, immigration relief, or admission to the United States to any alien who adheres to Sharia law.”
Congressman Chip Roy (R) speaks during House Judiciary Committee field hearing on New York City violent crimes at Javits Federal Building in New York City on April 17, 2023
It also mandates that any foreign national found to be a Sharia-law adherent “shall have any immigration benefit, immigration relief, or visa revoked, be considered inadmissible or deportable, and shall be removed from the United States.”
Those who lie about their adherence to Sharia law would face the same punishment, according to the bill.
Roy’s measure has quickly gained traction among House conservatives. Original cosponsors include Reps. Randy Fine of Florida, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Keith Self of Texas.
Roy also introduced the No Tax-Exemptions for Terror Act, legislation that would eliminate the tax-exempt status for extremist groups with close ties to terrorist organizations, such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood.
“It is absurd that the U.S. has provided organizations with ties to terrorism tax-exempt status in the U.S. – resulting in the American people inadvertently subsidizing terror against themselves. It is ridiculous, and we should have ended this long ago,” Roy said earlier this month.