‘Utterly classless’: GOP allies call out Adam Schiff over Tulsi Gabbard remarks after resignation

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican lawmakers and conservative figures sharply criticized Senator Adam Schiff on Friday, May 22, after the California Democrat condemned outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s record shortly after she announced her resignation amid her husband’s health crisis. The backlash quickly spread across social media, with several Trump allies accusing Schiff of politicizing a personal family matter and attacking Gabbard at a sensitive moment.

Gabbard announced that she would step down from her post effective June 30, citing her husband Abraham Williams’ diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. As some Democrats criticized her tenure, Republicans and conservative commentators argued that the responses crossed a line.

Republicans and conservative allies condemn Schiff’s response

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee was among the most outspoken critics of Schiff’s comments, accusing the senator of using the moment to launch a partisan attack. “I’ve always realized Adam "full of" Schiff had NO class & he proved to be a serial liar who fabricated hateful charges against President Donald Trump, but his comments about Tulsi Gabbard are a new low for someone I didn't think could sink any lower. He just did,” Huckabee wrote on X.

Rep Nancy Mace (R-SC) responded more briefly, posting: “Utterly classless.”

Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly also criticized Schiff’s remarks, writing, “Omg you are so inappropriate. Shame on you, Senator Adam Schiff.”

Other Republican lawmakers accused Democrats of using Gabbard’s resignation and family situation to escalate political attacks. Rep Lisa McClain (R-Mich) wrote, “Imagine using a family health crisis as a preamble to drop a deeply partisan, wildly inaccurate hit piece. Disgraceful... but very on brand for Democrats, unfortunately.”

Some Democrats, however, echoed criticism of Gabbard’s tenure

Rep Don Beyer (D-Va) wrote, “Good riddance -- she never should've had this job to begin with.”

 Congressman Shri Thanedar (D-Mich) similarly posted, “Tulsi Gabbard is resigning. Good riddance. The Iran war has been the biggest display of intelligence incompetence in decades.”

Schiff says Gabbard’s resignation is her ‘only positive contribution’

Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif) issued a sharp response shortly after the resignation became public. “My thoughts go out to Tulsi Gabbard and her family, as her husband battles this serious health problem. I hope and pray that he makes a speedy and full recovery,” Schiff wrote on X.

He then sharply criticized her tenure leading the intelligence community. “While the circumstances around her departure are deserving of our sympathy, let’s be clear: Tulsi Gabbard’s only positive contribution to our nation's national security is her resignation.”

Schiff accused Gabbard of politicizing intelligence operations and undermining key national security institutions during her time in office. “She politicized intelligence. She dismantled critical agencies keeping Americans safe. She weaponized the IC to pursue baseless election fraud claims. And more,” he wrote.