The political career of one of Washington’s most brazen partisan operators — Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) — may be teetering on the edge of collapse. Explosive allegations from a Democrat whistleblower, now backed by newly declassified FBI interview summaries, threaten not only Schiff’s future in office but could also expose him to massive fines and potentially decades behind bars.

If prosecutors act on the whistleblower’s testimony, Schiff’s days as a political kingmaker could be over. Former U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman told commentator Benny Johnson that the legal stakes are enormous: “It depends on the counts in the indictment… The fine is up to $250,000 for every leak that’s charged.”

The claims center on Schiff’s tenure as ranking member — and later chairman — of the House Intelligence Committee, during the Democrats’ failed “Russia collusion” smear campaign against President Donald J. Trump.

According to Just The News, a veteran Democrat staffer who served more than a decade on the committee told the FBI — repeatedly since 2017 — that Schiff personally greenlit the leaking of classified intelligence to the press. The sole purpose, the whistleblower says, was to politically wound President Trump.

The whistleblower recounted a stunning moment: during an all-staff meeting, Schiff allegedly announced that “the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States Donald J. Trump” and that those leaks “would be used to indict President Trump.”

The staffer says he immediately objected, warning the scheme was “unethical and possibly treasonous.” His concerns, he claims, were dismissed with assurances “we would not be caught leaking classified information.”

The whistleblower further alleged that Schiff expected to be rewarded with the post of CIA Director if Hillary Clinton had won the 2016 election, and he identified Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) as a possible channel for the leaks. Within days of voicing his objections to the FBI, the whistleblower says he was abruptly terminated.

Even more troubling, the whistleblower asserts that top FBI leadership — including Director Christopher Wray — refused to act. When he repeated the same allegations to agents in the bureau’s St. Louis office in 2023, the result was the same: nothing.

Tolman explained the seriousness of such misconduct: “Some of the punishment hinges on the purpose of the classified leak or the possession of classified documentation illegally. The purpose becomes very important.” He added that if intent to undermine the United States could be proven, Schiff could face “up to 20 years in federal prison.”

“I believe this was, in essence, the beginning of a conspiracy to take down a president, to impact his ability to lead,” Tolman said. “There are other statutes — conspiracy statutes, interference with official proceedings, et cetera.” While treason charges may not meet the strict legal definition, Tolman emphasized that “related crimes could come into play.”

The alleged FBI stonewalling mirrors a familiar pattern under Wray: Democrats and political insiders are shielded, while Trump supporters and conservatives face aggressive prosecution. Former Trump official Kash Patel has repeatedly blasted the bureau for ignoring misconduct by insiders, while weaponizing federal power against the president’s allies. Patel has also accused the FBI of deploying informants prior to January 6th, evidence he says proves the agency had foreknowledge but failed to act.

Schiff, who has long denied leaking classified information, has not responded to these latest revelations. In the past, he has dismissed similar accusations as partisan smears. But with a Democrat whistleblower, corroborating FBI reports, and the potential for criminal charges looming, Schiff may find it impossible to spin his way out this time.