House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is considering the next steps to be taken following former national security adviser John Bolton’s allegations in his upcoming book titled, “The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir.”
The California lawmaker has released a statement on Thursday announcing that he will be consulting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in the coming days as they decide on the next course of action.
The next steps are being considered due to Bolton’s book allegations which detail President Donald Trump’s communications with foreign leaders.
Schiff, who headed the House’s impeachment prosecution against Trump over his alleged contact with Ukraine, is also vowing to continue exploring avenues to investigate the president for possible mishandlings.
“We will continue to hold Trump accountable, and work to expose his abuses and corruption,” Schiff said in a statement. “In the coming days, we will be consulting with the Speaker and other chairs on next steps.”
The allegations in Bolton’s book also include claims about Trump soliciting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s help to seal his re-election.
On Thursday, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) noted that a subpoena for Bolton to testify may be something to be considered.
However, a subpoena would open the door for a legal battle with the White House due to the Trump administration’s history of combatting subpoenas and barring witnesses from testifying.
Although Democrats could be faced with a legal and political battle from the White House if they opt to further investigate, they do not appear to be deterred. Schiff also noted that the controversy surrounding Bolton’s book allegations could be the proof needed to confirm the president’s wrongdoing.
“If these new allegations are accurate, it is further proof that Trump’s coercion of Ukraine, for which he was impeached, is part of a persistent pattern by Trump of abusing his position and misusing the powers of the U.S. government to seek personal and political benefits from foreign governments,” Schiff said.
However, Trump has continued to downplay Bolton’s book as he insisted it is “a compilation of lies and made up stories, all intended to make me look bad.”
Trump continues to undermine the lawsuit his administration filed claiming large swaths of Bolton's book were classified and therefore true. https://t.co/o9Dxc1YV1f
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) June 18, 2020
Schiff’s latest statement follows his tweets about Bolton. On Wednesday, Schiff tweeted, “Bolton may be an author, but he’s no patriot,” as previously reported on IJR.
Bolton’s staff were asked to testify before the House to Trump’s abuses, and did. They had a lot to lose and showed real courage.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) June 17, 2020
When Bolton was asked, he refused, and said he’d sue if subpoenaed. Instead, he saved it for a book.
Bolton may be an author, but he’s no patriot.
Notwithstanding Bolton’s unconscionable delay, his allegations are serious.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) June 17, 2020
They again demonstrate that Trump's impeachable conduct with Ukraine was part of a clear pattern:
Seeking personal political benefit from foreign powers.
History will judge Republicans. Harshly.
He also tweeted, “History will judge Republicans. Harshly.”
