Senator Schiff strongly condemns President Trump's approach to the Ukraine conflict, characterizing it as a betrayal of Ukraine. He points to the suspension of aid, Trump's echoing of Kremlin talking points, and the perceived manipulation of Trump by Putin. Schiff highlights the dangerous naiveté of Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, whose actions undermine Ukraine's position and endanger US foreign policy.
Schiff expresses deep concern over 'Signalgate,' highlighting the potential compromise of sources due to unsecured communications. He stresses the need for thorough investigations by Congress and an independent inspector general, emphasizing the risk of compromised sources and the impact on future operations. Schiff fears the incident reflects a broader pattern of reckless handling of sensitive intelligence within the Trump administration.
Schiff discusses the worrying state of the intelligence community under the Trump administration. He notes the exodus of career professionals, the impact of political purges, and the potential for long-term damage to the IC's effectiveness and non-partisanship. The resulting hollowing out of the IC, he argues, poses a significant threat.