Trump’s Declassification Bombshell: Will Adam Schiff Face the Hammer of Justice?
Former President Donald Trump has ordered the declassification of all FBI files related to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, reigniting debates over the 2016 Russia probe into his campaign.
The move has sparked intense speculation, with some pointing fingers at Senator Adam Schiff, alleging his involvement in the investigation warrants a treason investigation.
On March 25, 2025, former President Donald Trump made a seismic move that sent shockwaves through political circles: he signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering the immediate declassification of all FBI files tied to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. This FBI probe, launched in 2016, sought to uncover whether Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia during his first presidential run. The investigation, which eventually fed into Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s 2017-2019 probe, concluded with no evidence of criminal conspiracy or coordination between Trump’s campaign and Russia. Yet, the declassification has reopened old wounds, fueling a firestorm of debate about transparency, political motives, and the potential fallout for key figures like Senator Adam Schiff.
The Crossfire Hurricane investigation has long been a lightning rod for controversy. Initiated in late July 2016, the probe was spurred by intelligence suggesting possible ties between Trump campaign members and Russian officials. According to a 2023 report by Special Counsel John Durham, who was tasked with investigating the origins of Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI lacked concrete evidence to justify launching the investigation. Durham’s findings pointed to intelligence that suggested Hillary Clinton’s campaign may have played a role in stirring up the Trump-Russia narrative, potentially as a distraction from her own controversies involving a private email server. Then-CIA Director John Brennan briefed President Barack Obama and other top officials on this intelligence, but no significant action followed at the time.
Trump’s decision to declassify these files—except for a classified annex and materials protected under law—has been hailed by his supporters as a long-overdue step toward transparency. In a statement following the signing, Trump called the investigation a “total weaponization” of federal agencies, declaring, “It’s a disgrace. It should have never happened in this country. But now you’ll be able to see for yourselves. All declassified.” He also cast doubt on whether the media would cover the revelations fairly, suggesting they might shy away from the findings.
The declassification has put a spotlight on Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who has been a vocal critic of Trump. During the initial Russia probe, Schiff, then a House Intelligence Committee member, repeatedly claimed there was “evidence in plain sight” of collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia—a stance he maintained despite Mueller’s findings to the contrary. In a 2019 interview, Schiff pointed to communications between Russia and Trump associates like Donald Trump Jr., George Papadopoulos, and Michael Flynn as proof of collusion, though he acknowledged the legal threshold for proving a criminal conspiracy was higher.
Now, with the Crossfire Hurricane files laid bare, some of Trump’s allies are calling for Schiff to be investigated for treason. They argue that his public statements and actions during the investigation may have contributed to what they see as a politically motivated effort to undermine Trump’s presidency. The sentiment is echoed in online discussions, where users have expressed support for holding Schiff accountable, with some even suggesting he should face severe consequences, such as imprisonment. One commenter quipped, “Tik tok, your time is coming—prepare yourself for prison,” while another called for Schiff to be “buried under Leavenworth.”
However, not everyone is convinced that the declassification will lead to significant repercussions. Skeptics argue that the move is more symbolic than substantive, with one commenter noting, “Bro, no one is going to jail… it’s all bread and circus.” Others point out that while the files may reveal embarrassing details about the FBI’s handling of the investigation, proving treason—a high legal bar involving intent to betray the nation—would be a steep challenge.
The broader context of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation adds layers of complexity to the unfolding drama. The probe, which involved coordination between the FBI, CIA, and NSA, examined Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential links to Trump’s campaign. Key moments, such as the FBI’s use of the Steele dossier—a collection of unverified allegations about Trump’s ties to Russia—have been heavily criticized. The dossier, compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele, was initially part of the FBI’s investigation but later became a point of contention when Steele shared his findings with the media, against FBI protocol. The FBI formally ended its relationship with Steele in November 2016 but continued to receive information from him indirectly through a senior Justice Department official until May 2017.
Trump’s declassification order also comes on the heels of other moves signaling his intent to revisit the Russia probe. Reports indicate that he recently revoked security clearances for several figures, including Hillary Clinton, as part of a broader effort to target those he believes were complicit in the investigation. Some see this as a precursor to further action against high-profile Democrats, with one online post ominously warning, “Hey Hillary… they’re coming for you… soon.”
As the declassified files become public, the political landscape braces for impact. Will they reveal damning evidence of misconduct by the FBI or Democratic figures like Schiff? Or will they simply reignite partisan battles without delivering the “hammer of justice” that Trump’s supporters hope for? For now, the declassification marks a historic moment—one that promises to keep the ghosts of 2016 haunting Washington for years to come.