Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has been replaced on the House Intelligence Committee after being removed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) has been named to replace Schiff on the important committee.
Jim Himes named top Democrat on Intelligence Committee after McCarthy blocks Schiff https://t.co/81nvc8AL6S
— James Kane (@jaskane) February 2, 2023
The announcement
“House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced the Democrats who will serve on key select committees on Wednesday, among them Himes, who traveled with Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky last year,” the Washington Examiner reported.
“Thrilled to be asked by @RepJeffries to serve as Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee. Looking forward to working with Chairman @RepMikeTurner and a great group of Dem and GOP members to oversee our incomparable Intelligence Community,” Himes tweeted following the announcement.
Thrilled to be asked by @RepJeffries to serve as Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee. Looking forward to working with Chairman @RepMikeTurner and a great group of Dem and GOP members to oversee our incomparable Intelligence Community. @HouseIntelDems @HouseIntel
— Jim Himes 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@jahimes) February 1, 2023
Schiff’s departure
“McCarthy was critical of Schiff’s actions as chairman of the panel during the first impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump, asserting he used his position to lie to the American public again and again,'” CBS News reported.
“He also asserted Swalwell couldn’t get a security clearance in the private sector, so ‘we’re not going to provide him with the secrets to America,'” it added.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said the decision was not based on political payback but because “integrity matters, and they have failed in that place.” https://t.co/oP8squIXtC
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 25, 2023
In addition to denying the reasons behind his removal, Schiff has since announced his plans to run for the U.S. Senate in California in 2024.
Schiff uses banned TikTok to spread campaign message
Schiff also ironically launched his TikTok channel and uploaded his first video.
TikTok has been officially banned on government devices due to national security concerns related to the company’s Chinese ownership.
Schiff was not the only Democrat removed from a committee. Fellow California congressman Eric Swalwell was also removed from the committee. Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is also under threat of being removed from her committee due to past antisemitic and anti-American remarks.
McCarthy’s promises are starting to be fulfilled as Republicans move forward with their new House majority.