US Senator Adam Schiff was fiercely against Kash Patel’s nomination to be FBI director, labeling him a “political hack” and a “sycophant” who was not qualified for the position. In the face of fierce Democratic opposition, the Senate confirmed Patel on Thursday to head the premier federal law enforcement agency. Several hours earlier, around half a dozen Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats assembled outside FBI headquarters in a desperate bid to block his confirmation.

“This is someone we cannot trust,” Senator Schiff of California told us. “This is someone who lacks the character to do this job, someone who lacks the integrity to do this job,” he added, mentioning that even some of the Republicans concurred with his conclusion.

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Schiff’s Criticism and Patel’s Response

Schiff charged Patel with placing loyalty to Trump ahead of ethical and legal responsibilities. “The only qualification Kash Patel has to be FBI director is that when everyone else in the first Trump administration said ‘no, I won’t do that, that crosses moral, ethical, legal lines,’ Kash Patel said sign me up,” Schiff said.

After Schiff’s comments, speculation began that he might be added to Patel’s list of “enemies,” mentioned in Patel’s 2023 book Government Gangsters. Patel did not mince words in his retort, calling Schiff, “Adam Schiff is the worst criminal in Congress in the last 250 years.” Billionaire Elon Musk also followed Patel’s lead, adding, “Adam Schiff is a criminal.”

Who is Adam Schiff?

Adam Schiff was born in Framingham, Massachusetts. He studied at Monte Vista High School in Danville, California. He then graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Law School with his degree and law degree, respectively.

Schiff started his career as a law clerk to Judge William Matthew Byrne, Jr. in Los Angeles after which he was appointed to the US Attorney’s Office as a federal prosecutor. In his six-year stint, he prosecuted Richard Miller, who was the first FBI agent ever to be indicted for spying on behalf of Russia. He was also involved in setting up one of the initial federal environmental crime units.

Schiff’s Political Career

Schiff was elected to the California State Senate in 1996 as its youngest member. He wrote the Schiff-Cardenas Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act of 2000, which funded programs that kept troubled youth out of prison. His work to expand the Metro Gold Line has led to him being referred to as “Father of the Gold Line.”

He won a US House seat in 2000, and during his tenure on the Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, and Intelligence Committees, he acted as chair of the Intelligence Committee, guiding the first impeachment hearing of President Donald Trump and seeking sanctions against Russia after its move to invade Ukraine.

Republicans were quick to denounce Schiff as a spreader of falsehoods, and the House, in 2023, moved to censure him. Schiff disputed any impropriety.

Schiff’s Effect in the Senate

Schiff was elected into the US Senate in 2024, holding a seat representing California. Schiff was instrumental when Congress officially adopted the Armenian Genocide in 2019. He also actively supported the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which focused on preventing abuses of presidential powers.

Schiff continues to remain a vocal advocate against the Trump administration and as a champion for democratic reforms and is now emerging as a leader in national politics.