Adam Schiff continues to politicize intelligence oversight

Reform and reorganization of intelligence agencies is obviously a concern of the House and Senate intelligence committees, so it is not a surprise that when intelligence officials engage in such efforts, these committees send letters asking for details. That’s part of normal intelligence oversight.

Adam Schiff, the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee sent one of these letters yesterday (April 7) to acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell.  What was unusual about this letter, as Grenell notes in his tweet below, is that it was sent to the news media before it was sent to him.

Grenell accordingly complained that press leaks politicizing the intelligence community must stop.

His letter was sent to the press before it was sent to me. These press leaks politicizing the intelligence community must stop. https://t.co/hdWIzGWvZr

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) April 7, 2020

Grenell is right.  This letter wasn’t about overseeing U.S. intelligence to ensure we have a lawful and efficient intelligence community that helps protect our security.  This was another example of Schiff using intelligence oversight – reportedly including leaks of intelligence and classified testimonies – to score political points with the press to hurt President Trump.

Schiff has engaged in such unethical behavior on the committee since President Trump assumed office.  This has undermined American security by making it impossible for the committee to perform meaningful oversight.  Perhaps one day Democrats will realize that partisans like Adam Schiff have no place on this vital committee and replace him with someone who will put national security above personal political agendas.