FBI interview reports reveal that a longtime Democratic staffer on the House Intelligence Committee repeatedly warned the bureau, beginning in 2017, that then-Rep. Adam Schiff authorized leaking classified information to harm President Trump during the Russiagate probe.
The whistleblower, who worked with Schiff and former Chairman Devin Nunes, described the leaks as “unethical,” “illegal,” and “treasonous,” but said Schiff believed he was shielded from prosecution under the Constitution’s speech and debate clause.
The staffer told agents he personally attended a meeting where Schiff instructed aides to leak classified material derogatory to Trump to push for his indictment. Similar claims were made in multiple interviews between 2017 and 2023, including allegations that Rep. Eric Swalwell was involved in leaking. The whistleblower said he was fired over “party loyalty” concerns after refusing to participate in what he described as a systematic leak process overseen by Schiff’s staff.
FBI memos show the staffer first came forward in early 2017, alleging committee Democrats targeted Trump associates such as Michael Flynn and used the media to build public pressure. He also described specific incidents where classified documents viewed by a small group, including Schiff and Swalwell, appeared in the press within 24 hours. The whistleblower also told the FBI that in late 2016, Democratic staffers revealed plans that if Hillary Clinton won the presidential election, Adam Schiff would be appointed CIA director.
Despite at least six FBI interviews over six years, Justice Department prosecutors declined to pursue the matter, citing constitutional protections for lawmakers. The memos, turned over to Congress by Director Kash Patel, are part of a larger document set outlining alleged classified leak operations by senior officials.
Schiff, now a senator, has long promoted debunked Trump-Russia collusion claims, championed the discredited Steele dossier, and opposed Republican efforts to expose FISA abuses. The House formally censured him in 2023 for spreading false allegations, and Special Counsel John Durham later concluded no evidence of collusion existed at the start of the FBI’s investigation.
You can read the FBI interview reports here.
