Progressive group slams Schiff after Senate campaign announcement

After California Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff announced his bid to represent the state in the Senate, at least one progressive organization slammed his campaign, contending that he had failed to hold former President Donald Trump accountable and that he is too cozy with the Democratic Party establishment.

"Adam Schiff plays the role of Trump antagonist on TV, but a recent book details how he stalled and undermined leaders trying to hold Trump accountable in Congress. And he never challenges corporations or the Democratic establishment," Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) co-founder Adam Green said Thursday, according to Fox News.

Schiff announced his candidacy for the 2024 Senatorial contest in California on Thursday, potentially putting him in conflict with incumbent Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who has not yet announced her reelection plans. Feinstein is 89 years old.

Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., has also announced plans to run for the seat.

Schiff rose to prominence as a major proponent of the Trump-Russia collusion hoax and served as an impeachment manager during Trump's first impeachment trial. Green asserted that Schiff's role in that episode was reluctant at first, but that he had jumped at the opportunity to enter the public spotlight and take credit for the effort.

"When we should have gone big against Trump, Schiff said go small. When we should have gone fast, Schiff said go slow. And when bold leaders finally won consensus to pursue impeachment over Schiff's objections, Schiff leapt on stage to take credit," he said.

The California congressman has been in headlines for unrelated reasons this week as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy rejected the nominations of both Schiff and fellow California Democrat, Rep. Eric Swalwell, to sit on the House Intelligence Committee.

Schiff, the former chairman of the committee, earned ire from Republicans, who have accused him of making false claims about Trump while being aware of information that contradicted his public remarks.

Schiff has reportedly made multiple other efforts to seek higher office. In early 2021, he reportedly lobbied California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint him to the state's attorney general posting to fill the gap left by Xavier Becerra, who joined the Biden administration.

He also reportedly put out feelers among the Democratic caucus in 2022 to sound out a prospective bid for congressional leadership.