Schiff Criticizes FBI Raid on Bolton, Echoes Past Concerns Over Political Rhetoric

California Senator Adam Schiff criticized the FBI’s recent raid on former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s home, calling it “clearly retribution.” This statement raises questions about the consistency of Schiff’s views on political rhetoric and its potential to incite violence.

The FBI executed a search warrant at Bolton’s residence on August 25, 2025, as part of an investigation into his alleged possession of classified documents. The raid has drawn significant media attention, particularly given Bolton’s previous role in the Trump administration.

During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Schiff was asked by host Kristen Welker whether he believed the investigation should be allowed to proceed without public interference. Schiff dismissed this notion, stating, “I think this is clearly retribution. What the president is trying to do here is very systemic and systematic.”

Schiff further asserted that the federal government is being used against anyone who opposes the president. “Anyone who stands up to the president, anyone who criticizes the president, anyone who says anything adverse to the president’s interest gets the full weight of the federal government brought down on them,” he said.

This criticism stands in stark contrast to Schiff’s previous comments regarding former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric. In August 2022, Schiff accused Trump of “stoking” violence against the FBI following the agency’s search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. At that time, Schiff claimed that Trump’s accusations of FBI corruption were irresponsible and contributed to a climate of political violence.

“Part of what is responsible is we have the former president really stoking this, calling the FBI corrupt because they searched Mar-a-Lago when it appears they had every reason to do so and more,” Schiff stated during an NPR interview.

Critics of Schiff’s recent comments argue that his condemnation of the FBI raid on Bolton mirrors the very behavior he previously condemned in Trump. They suggest that if Trump’s criticisms were deemed unacceptable provocations, then Schiff’s remarks should also be scrutinized under the same lens.

Supporters of Schiff, however, contend that his concerns about the FBI’s actions are valid given the context of Bolton’s role in the Trump administration and the ongoing investigations into classified documents. They argue that Schiff is merely exercising his right to voice concerns about government overreach.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Schiff’s statements may resonate beyond the immediate context of the Bolton raid. The debate over political speech and its potential consequences remains a contentious issue in American politics.

The FBI’s investigation into Bolton is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how this will impact both Bolton’s future and the broader political discourse surrounding federal law enforcement actions.