House Democrat Schiff had intel back in February of Russian bounties on U.S. soldiers: report

House Intelligence committee Chairman Adam Schiff saw reports back in February that Russia was purportedly paying Taliban operatives to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan but took no action, according to a news report released as the California Democrat accuses President Trump is downplaying those same reports out of allegiance to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Federalist reported Thursday that "multiple intelligence sources" told the publication that some members of Schiff's staff "were briefed in February on intelligence about Russia offering the Taliban bounties in Afghanistan," but that Schiff "took no action in response to the briefing."

News of the purported arrangement between Russia and the Taliban leaked last week, leading to sharp criticism from U.S. officials. Democrats have slammed Trump in recent days for referring to the allegations as "possibly another fabricated Russia Hoax." Schiff this week accused Trump of "taking the Kremlin’s side" on the matter. 

The Federalist notes that, as chairman of the Intelligence committee, Schiff "had the authority to immediately brief the full committee and convene hearings on the matter" when he allegedly learned of them in February, yet he apparently did nothing. 

The Schiff staff was briefed of the matter "during a congressional delegation, or CODEL, trip to Afghanistan in February," the Federalist said.