Schiff: The GOP Has Become 'A Cult Of Trump's Personality'

House Democrats continue to wrestle within their own party regarding the idea of beginning impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump.

This was front and center today as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos that he's 'just not convinced, not yet,' that it's the best thing for the country right now.

“In terms of the impeachment process, it’s not mandated by the Constitution. We can avail ourselves of this when the president demonstrates acts that are high crimes or misdemeanors. It is certainly true that much of his conduct qualifies for that, but at the same time we have to recognize the reality that one party, the Republican Party, has turned itself into a cult of the president’s personality and is not likely to act consistent with its constitutional obligations. And we have to figure out in that context, is this the right thing for the country, and I’m just not convinced, not yet, that that’s the case.”

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff on impeachment: "One party - the Republican Party has turned itself into a cult of the president's personality and is not likely to act consist with its constitutional obligations" https://t.co/1KA7z13fgZ pic.twitter.com/bZ6a673Fd5

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 2, 2019

Several freshman rank and file Democrats are ready to dive into impeachment proceedings, but as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said earlier this week, even if articles of impeachment pass in the Democratic-controlled House, the GOP-led Senate (which acts as the judge and jury over such allegations) will never find Trump guilty.

That would then make Trump a martyr to his followers and could embolden them even more in the 2020 election.

Plus, were he to be found 'not guilty' by the Senate, that verdict could dissuade any charges being brought against Trump in the private sector once he's out of office.

House Committee Considers Fining Those Who Refuse Subpoenas $25K

Rep. Adam Schiff

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, says House Democrats may consider fining those individuals who refuse to comply with House subpoenas.

Via Talking Points Memo:

“Much as I like the visual of (throwing people in jail), I think it’s far more practical to consider levying individual fines on the person — not on the office — until they comply. Courts use that practice, I think it’s quite successful,” Schiff told Axios Mike Allen. “You could fine someone $25,000 a day until they comply and that will probably get their attention. … You can do that. We’re looking through the history and studying the law to make sure we’re on solid ground.”

The White House has effectively stonewalled House Democrats’ oversight subpoenas. According to Axios, Schiff said Democratic leadership might have to think outside the box and take “extraordinary” action to make sure Congress’ authority is upheld.

“At the end of the day this isn’t just about this president, this isn’t just about these documents, it is whether Congress is a co-equal branch, a co-equal power that can enforce oversight,” he said. “Because if we can’t, it means any future president can act as corruptly or malfeasant as they want. And there’s simply no accountability.”

The House Judiciary Committee voted on Wednesday to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress over his handling of the release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested the House might vote to hold others in contempt as well.

Adam Schiff: The Way To Deal With Trump Is "Vote His Ass Out Of Office"

Rep. Adam Schiff

During an appearance on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff told Bill Maher that impeaching Donald Trump may not happen but there is an eventual solution, "vote his ass out of office."

“I’m not there yet on impeachment. I may get there, he may get me there. But here’s the awful dilemma that we face: if we don’t impeach him, that sends a message that this kind of conduct, this obstruction of justice, this kind of willing use of the help of a foreign adversary, all the lies and cover up, that this is non-impeachable.

“At the same time, if we do impeach him and he is acquitted as he would likely be acquitted, then the message is ‘those are not impeachable offenses.’

"At the end of the day Bill, there is only one way to deal with this problem, whether we impeach him or not, and that is to vote his ass out of office.”

Schiff also shared the opinion of his 90-something father, about Trump, that "if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, he's probably a crook."

I agree with Schiff on all of the above.

Trump Calls House Chairman Investigating Him A 'Political Hack'

Donald Trump complained again today about so-called 'presidential harassment' when he was asked about the House Intelligence Committee moving forward with investigations into his finances and possible Russian ties.

The 'presidential harassment' thing reminds me of the character in Mean Girls who keeps trying to get her invented catch-phrase to become popular. It's not going to work.

Calling the new chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif), a 'political hack,' Trump added, “It’s just presidential harassment and it’s unfortunate and it really does hurt our country."

Trump calls congressional oversight "presidential harassment."

This AM, Jerry Nadler said: "To say that we can't do that is to say that we shouldn't do our constitutional duty. It's to assert an executive preeminence that one would think he might want to be a dictator."
Via ABC pic.twitter.com/OEx4vtFkLl

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 6, 2019

Schiff announced Wednesday his committee would undertake a broad investigation “beyond Russia” into whether President Donald Trump’s financial interests are driving his actions.

The committee voted today to fulfill another priority of Schiff’s: releasing the transcripts of all witnesses before the House investigation to Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

The full, un-redacted transcripts will give Mueller the chance to 'compare notes' with his own interviews of Trump allies. Should he find discrepancies, Trump's friends could be in big trouble. Lying to Congress is a felony.

For his part, Schiff issued his own statement saying, "I can understand why the idea of meaningful oversight terrifies the President. Several of his close associates are going to jail, others await trial, and criminal investigations continue. We’re going to do our job and won’t be distracted or intimidated by threats or attacks."

I can understand why the idea of meaningful oversight terrifies the President. Several of his close associates are going to jail, others await trial, and criminal investigations continue.

We’re going to do our job and won’t be distracted or intimidated by threats or attacks.

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 6, 2019

YESTERDAY: Trump called for “unity.”

TODAY: Trump reverted back to his normal self and called Adam Schiff “a political hack trying to build a name for himself.”

MORAL OF THE STORY: Never believe anything that a con man says when he is desperately trying to cover up his crimes.

— Ryan Knight 🇺🇸 (@ProudResister) February 6, 2019

Schiff is not the one funded by Russia. Trump is about to be put in check. pic.twitter.com/hN3CXEhEwX

— Todd Lytle (@ToddLytle) February 6, 2019

After Calling For Decorum, Trump Labels Political Foe "Little Adam Schitt"

Donald Trump

On Friday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told the press that Donald Trump was fine with CNN's Jim Acosta being reissued his press pass to the White House, but there will be rules and regulations on how the press should handle itself because "there should be decorum" at the White House.

Tonight, Trump called Dem Rep. Adam Schiff of California 'little Adam Schitt.'

The tweet has been up for hours, so if it was a typo/mistake, you'd think they'd have pulled it down.

#Decorum

So funny to see little Adam Schitt (D-CA) talking about the fact that Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker was not approved by the Senate, but not mentioning the fact that Bob Mueller (who is highly conflicted) was not approved by the Senate!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 18, 2018

Wow, Mr. President, that’s a good one.

Was that like your answers to Mr. Mueller’s questions, or did you write this one yourself? https://t.co/Yd27sayt7C

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) November 18, 2018

“Decorum,” the President told the press corps Friday. “You have to practice decorum... you have to act with respect. You're in the White House.” https://t.co/FFdJvhDocL

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 19, 2018

“Little Adam Schitt” is about to have subpoena power. You might want to shut the fuck up for once in your life

— Angry WH Staffer (@AngrierWHStaff) November 18, 2018

Donald Trump’s day so far:

- “Adam Schitt”
- “I want great climate”
- “Raking” the forest
- Numerous sealed indictments surface on Washington DC docket
- Get ready for big arrests
- Trump can go rake himself
- It’s still only 7:45pm

— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) November 19, 2018

Dems have the House. Schiff is going to replace Nunes on the Intelligence Committee. The Schitt will hit the fan for Trump in the New Year.

— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) November 18, 2018

Trump Attacks Rep. Adam Schiff, Schiff Claps Back

Rep. Adam Schiff

After Donald Trump attacked Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff as “one of the biggest liars and leakers in Washington,” Schiff didn't hesitate to clap back at the Trumpster.

Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, has been a leading critic of Trump and is pushing for a vote to release a Democratic counter-point to Republican Devin Nunes' three and a half page memo that Trump has declared "totally vindicates" him.

Little Adam Schiff, who is desperate to run for higher office, is one of the biggest liars and leakers in Washington, right up there with Comey, Warner, Brennan and Clapper! Adam leaves closed committee hearings to illegally leak confidential information. Must be stopped!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 5, 2018

Referencing the hours of unscheduled morning TV time the Donald reserves for himself, Schiff signaled he has no time for such foolishness.

Mr. President, I see you’ve had a busy morning of “Executive Time.” Instead of tweeting false smears, the American people would appreciate it if you turned off the TV and helped solve the funding crisis, protected Dreamers or...really anything else. https://t.co/lVqQRu2Gjl

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 5, 2018

Trump's Schiff tweet today sounds characteristically frightened.

— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 5, 2018

Rep Adam Schiff is a Fmr Asst US Attorney, who prosecuted a Fmr FBI Agent convicted of leaking documents to the Soviet Union. https://t.co/aeVHnG9LlO

— Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 5, 2018

Putting aside everything else that's unnerving about this tweet, Trump is a constant leaker who exposed Israeli intelligence sources to the Russians and plotted a response to North Korea in full view of guests at Mar-a-Lago. Rep. Schiff has done...none of that. https://t.co/m0RMFJyN1U

— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) February 5, 2018

Top House Intel Committee Dem: Chairman Nunes Trying To "Choke Off" Info To Public

Ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee Rep. Adam Schiff says the chairman of the committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, didn't share info with committee Republicans or Democrats: "All of us are essentially in the dark."

Schiff also told reporters today that Chairman Nunes has cancelled an open hearing of the Intel Committee to "choke off" information to the public.

Schiff says Nunes didn't share info with committee Republicans or Democrats: "All of us are essentially in the dark" https://t.co/medIVEYewt

— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 24, 2017

Congressman Adam Schiff Twitter Burns Trump

As President Trump claims he is "somewhat vindicated" in his claims that President Obama ordered a wire tap on the phones at Trump Tower, Rep. Adam Schiff (ranking member of the House Intelligence committee) got a bit sassy today trolling the prez with the above tweet.

FTW!

GOP House Intelligence Committee Chairman On Trump Wire Tap Allegations: "Clearly The President Was Wrong"

Congressmen Adam Schiff (L) and Devin Nunes (R)

Republican House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes told reporters this morning he thinks President Donald Trump was wrong when he accused President Barack Obama of wiretapping him.

Nunes, an 8-term U.S. Congressman from California, also says he doesn't believe Trump Tower was wiretapped at all.

"I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower," the 8-term Congressman from California told reporters during a joint press conference with Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Adam Schiff (D-CA).

"We don't have any evidence" that President Obama tapped Trump Tower, Nunes said. Going further, he added, "I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower."

"Now you have to decide, as I mentioned to you last week, are you going to take the tweets literally? And if you are, then clearly the president was wrong," he said.

Note how very uncomfortable Nunes is here. He can't even look the reporters in the eye.

GOP House Intel Chair Nunes: “clearly the president was wrong” if you take his tweets literally that Obama physically wiretapped Trump Tower pic.twitter.com/LolgpwTUaz

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) March 15, 2017

As the White House staff has begun parsing the president's accusations, let's go back and remember just exactly what it is that Trump is alleging:

Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017

Is it legal for a sitting President to be "wire tapping" a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017

How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017