00:00Adam Schiff says lawmakers shouldn't use politics to go after presidents.
00:05Senator Adam Schiff drew attention at the Texas Tribune Festival after warning that lawmakers should not use political disagreements as a reason to undermine a president or a political party.
00:15His remarks quickly sparked debate because of Schiff's long and highly visible role in investigations and impeachment proceedings involving President Donald Trump.
00:24Schiff, who won his Senate seat in 2024 following the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein, told the audience that American politics has become too polarized and that leaders must avoid treating opponents as enemies.
00:38He urged voters to develop stronger media literacy and to avoid rewarding news outlets that amplify division.
00:44Critics, however, argued that Schiff's comments were inconsistent with his past actions.
00:49During Trump's first term, Schiff frequently appeared in media interviews suggesting he had evidence of misconduct or collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia, though no such evidence was established in the Mueller report.
01:03Schiff also served as the lead impeachment manager during Trump's first impeachment, a process Republicans characterized as rushed and partisan.
01:11Commentators pointed out these past statements in response to Schiff's new call for political unity.
01:16They accused him of attempting to distance himself from previous rhetoric now that Trump has returned to the White House with Vice President J.D. Vance.
01:24Schiff's broader message at the festival focused on the need for Americans to move beyond ruinous ideas that frame political differences as existential threats.
01:33He argued that the public must avoid consuming information that inflames tensions and instead seek sources that promote accuracy and understanding.
01:41The speech, however, revived long-standing disagreements about Schiff's role in the Trump-era investigations.
01:48While Schiff called for a less divisive political climate, his critics maintained that his current message conflicts with how he handled political disputes throughout Trump's earlier term.
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