A series of whistleblower allegations—now supported by newly declassified FBI interview reports—could pose serious legal and political jeopardy for Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), potentially exposing him to substantial fines and even prison time if prosecutors decide to pursue charges.
According to reporting from Just the News, a longtime Democratic staffer on the House Intelligence Committee told federal investigators that Schiff authorized the leaking of classified intelligence during the Trump-Russia investigation in order to politically damage then-President Donald Trump.
If those claims are corroborated and lead to formal charges, the consequences could be severe. Former U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman warned that each alleged leak could carry penalties of up to $250,000 per count, with cumulative exposure depending on how many incidents prosecutors choose to pursue.
“It depends on the counts in the indictment,” Tolman said. “The fine is up to $250,000 for every leak that’s charged.”
Allegations Date Back to Schiff’s Time in the House
The allegations stem from Schiff’s tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served first as the ranking member and later as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee during the height of the Trump-Russia probe.
The whistleblower—who reportedly worked for Democrats on the committee for more than a decade—told the FBI beginning in 2017 that Schiff explicitly endorsed leaking classified information to the media as part of a broader political strategy.
According to the FBI interview summaries, the whistleblower recalled an all-staff meeting in which Schiff allegedly stated that the committee would leak classified intelligence that was “derogatory to President Donald J. Trump” and that such leaks would ultimately be used to support efforts to indict the president.
Whistleblower Says He Objected
The staffer told federal agents that he immediately objected to the alleged plan, warning that it was “unethical and possibly treasonous.” He claims that his concerns were dismissed and that he was reassured by colleagues that “we would not be caught leaking classified information.”
The whistleblower further alleged that Schiff believed he had been promised the position of CIA director if Hillary Clinton won the 2016 presidential election—an assertion that, if proven, could raise additional ethical questions about motive.
The staffer identified Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) as a potential conduit for the alleged leaks and said that shortly after raising his concerns with the FBI, he was abruptly terminated from his position.
FBI Inaction Raises New Questions
Despite the gravity of the claims, the whistleblower says no action was taken at the time. He alleges that senior FBI leadership, including then-Director Christopher Wray, failed to pursue the matter.
According to the whistleblower, he repeated the same allegations to FBI agents in the bureau’s St. Louis office in 2023, again without any apparent follow-up or enforcement action.
The lack of response has raised new questions about whether political considerations influenced how the allegations were handled—or ignored—inside the bureau.
Legal Exposure Could Be Significant
Tolman emphasized that if prosecutors determine classified information was knowingly leaked without authorization, the legal exposure could be extensive.
Beyond financial penalties, violations involving classified material can carry serious criminal consequences, including potential prison sentences, depending on the statutes applied and whether intent can be established.
While no charges have been filed and Schiff has denied wrongdoing, the emergence of declassified FBI records has renewed scrutiny of his conduct during one of the most contentious political investigations in modern U.S. history.
What Comes Next
At this stage, the allegations remain unproven, and any legal action would depend on whether federal prosecutors choose to reopen or advance the case. However, the release of corroborating FBI interview material has significantly elevated the stakes.
If further evidence emerges or prosecutors decide to act, Schiff—now a sitting U.S. senator—could face not only legal peril but also profound political consequences.
For now, the revelations underscore how unresolved questions from the Trump-Russia era continue to reverberate years later, with potential implications for some of the most powerful figures in Washington.