Major Controversies Surrounding Adam Schiff: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Adam Schiff—discover key moments of controversy.

Adam Schiff is an American politician and lawyer currently serving as the junior United States Senator from California since 2024. A Democrat, he previously served twelve terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (2001-2024) and in the California State Senate (1996-2000).

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2001: Bush-era plans

In February 2015, Adam Schiff was discussing how or whether to tailor Bush-era plans from 2001 and 2002 to fight ISIS.

2002: Bush-era plans

In February 2015, Adam Schiff was discussing how or whether to tailor Bush-era plans from 2001 and 2002 to fight ISIS.

2003: Schiff Voted in Favor of Iraq Invasion

In 2003, Adam Schiff voted in favor of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

2012: Attack on Benghazi diplomatic compound

Adam Schiff called the establishment of a select committee to investigate the 2012 attack a "colossal waste of time" .

February 2015: Schiff Expressed Regret for Iraq War Vote

In February 2015, Adam Schiff expressed regret for his vote in favor of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

2015: Schiff Supported Saudi Arabian-led Intervention in Yemen

In 2015, Adam Schiff supported the Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen.

2016: Alleged Trump Campaign Collusion with Russia

In 2016, Donald Trump's presidential campaign allegedly colluded with Russia. Schiff claimed there was more than circumstantial evidence of this collusion during a March 22, 2017 interview.

2016: Accusations of Trump Campaign Collusion with Russians

In 2016, allegations arose of collusion between Trump's campaign and Russians, leading to calls for Schiff's resignation on March 28, 2019.

2016: House Intel Committe Inquiry into Russian Interference in 2016 United States Elections

In 2016, the House Select Intelligence Committee was tasked with inquiries related to Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. On April 2, 2017, Adam Schiff appeared on CNN to discuss the inquiries.

March 22, 2017: Schiff Claims "More Than Circumstantial Evidence" of Trump-Russia Collusion

On March 22, 2017, in an interview with Chuck Todd, Adam Schiff stated that there was "more than circumstantial evidence now" that Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia, specifying that the evidence was "worthy of investigation".

April 2, 2017: Schiff Discusses Russian Interference Investigation on CNN

On April 2, 2017, Adam Schiff, appearing on CNN's State of the Union, discussed the House Select Intelligence Committee's inquiries related to Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. He addressed Michael Flynn's request for immunity, separate inspections of White House documents, allegations of wiretapping in Trump Tower, and Devin Nunes's association with the Trump White House.

July 23, 2017: Schiff on Trump's Interests and Russian Influence

On July 23, 2017, Adam Schiff stated on Meet the Press that the President should act in America's best interest, not his personal interests or out of concern for what the Russians might have. In response, the next morning, Trump called Schiff "Sleazy Adam Schiff" on Twitter, and Schiff responded that Trump's actions were "beneath the dignity of the office".

December 2018: Schiff Suggests Roger Stone Lied to Congress

In December 2018, Adam Schiff suggested that Trump associate Roger Stone may have lied to Congress and recommended his testimony transcript be sent to the Special Counsel.

February 2019: Schiff Condemns Ilhan Omar's Anti-Semitic Tweet

In February 2019, Adam Schiff condemned Representative Ilhan Omar's tweet referencing "the Benjamins" and AIPAC for implying lobby money fueled American politicians' support of Israel, calling it an anti-Semitic smear.

March 28, 2019: Republicans Call for Schiff's Resignation

On March 28, 2019, the Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee requested Adam Schiff's resignation over his allegations of collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia in the 2016 election. Schiff responded by accusing the Republican members of tolerating "immoral" and "corrupt" conduct.

December 18, 2019: Trump Impeached by the House

On December 18, 2019, Donald Trump was impeached by the House with 228 votes to 193, making him the third president to be impeached. Adam Schiff, as chair of the Intelligence Committee, was one of the lead investigators in the impeachment inquiry against Trump stemming from the Trump–Ukraine scandal.

2019: Schiff Investigates Trump's Russia Connections

In 2019, upon becoming chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff began an independent investigation into Trump's connections to Russia, separate from the Special Counsel investigation. He faced criticism regarding his stance on accepting the Special Counsel's findings.

2020: Schiff on Turkey's Role in Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

In 2020, Adam Schiff accused Turkey of inciting the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh and questioned the U.S. relationship with Turkey and Azerbaijan. He co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressing deep concern with Azerbaijan's renewed aggression.

June 21, 2023: House of Representatives Censure of Schiff

On June 21, 2023, the House of Representatives censured Adam Schiff in a party-line vote on H.Res. 521. The resolution investigated his role as Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, for promoting the "conspiracy theory" that Trump colluded with Russia in the 2016 United States presidential election.