Disputed Fact
During a February 13, 2017 staff meeting, Schiff instructed his personnel to leverage their sources within the U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC) to gather classified information expressly for public disclosure through the media. In another all-staff meeting, Schiff reportedly announced to the group that they would actively leak classified information derogatory to President Trump in order to indict him. When a staff member voiced concerns that these actions were illegal, unethical, and treasonous, unnamed attendees reassured the individual that they would not be caught leaking classified material. The enforcement of this illicit framework was absolute; the whistleblower who documented these events was terminated from his position on the committee specifically for refusing to participate in the controlled leaks.
Citations
The February 13, 2017 staff meeting described in this row is based on a whistleblower account obtained by the House Intelligence Committee oversight investigation. The declassified materials were released by DNI Gabbard in July 2025. See Fox News / Gregg Jarrett: Newly Declassified Documents Destroy Russian Collusion Hoax (July 2025).
Classification as Disputed Fact reflects that while declassified documents reveal Schiff-committee conduct, the specific Feb. 13, 2017 staff meeting account is based on a whistleblower whose identity has not been publicly confirmed. The underlying documents are classified; only summaries and reporting are in the public record as of the date of this document.