California Democrat Adam Schiff is once again facing criticism from conservatives after launching a blistering attack on President Donald Trump over ongoing negotiations with Iran — remarks many on the right say sounded less like support for America and more like cheerleading for one of America’s top adversaries.
During an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Last Word” with Lawrence O’Donnell, Schiff unloaded on the Trump administration’s handling of escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly surrounding security operations near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
But instead of projecting unity during a dangerous geopolitical standoff, Schiff appeared determined to undermine the administration at every turn.
“Lawrence, he’s really demonstrated that he’s a weak and incompetent president,” Schiff declared, attacking Trump over efforts to negotiate with Iran while also protecting shipping routes in the region.
The California senator mocked the administration’s military posture after reports of naval escort operations and clashes involving vessels traveling through the Strait.
“He started out… with this declaration that Iran was going to have to unconditionally surrender,” Schiff complained. “And yet the president orders ships to escort other vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, and we get fired upon, and the president says, no worries.”
For many conservatives, the comments reflected a familiar pattern from Schiff: relentless opposition to Trump regardless of the stakes involved for the United States.
Schiff didn’t stop there.
In a remarkable moment during the interview, the senator pointed to resistance from Saudi Arabia regarding regional military coordination as evidence that America’s allies no longer respected Trump’s leadership.
“The weakness of the administration, the weakness of this president… it’s breathtaking,” Schiff said.
But what drew the sharpest backlash was Schiff’s commentary about Iran itself.
Rather than emphasizing the dangers posed by the Iranian regime — a government widely recognized as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism — Schiff instead painted Tehran as strategically ascendant and politically empowered.
“Iran now feels empowered,” Schiff said. “It feels like the clock is ticking on its side. It feels the president is desperate for a deal.”
To conservatives, the optics were stunning.
At a time when Iran continues expanding its regional influence, threatening American allies, and supporting proxy terror groups across the Middle East, Schiff appeared more focused on attacking Trump than condemning the regime in Tehran.
Schiff also mocked Trump’s diplomatic efforts, comparing any potential agreement to the controversial Obama-era nuclear deal that Republicans long criticized as weak and dangerously naive.
“You hear the president talking about a deal basically that sounds a lot like the deal that Barack Obama struck,” Schiff sneered.
Ironically, Schiff then criticized the idea of trusting Iran’s promises — even while simultaneously arguing against Trump’s tougher posture in the region.
“Well, I guess that’s really something,” Schiff said sarcastically. “We can now rely on Iran’s word.”
Conservatives were quick to point out the contradiction.
For years, Democrats accused Trump of being reckless for taking a hardline stance on Iran. Now, as the administration explores negotiations while maintaining military pressure and protecting global shipping lanes, critics like Schiff are suddenly attacking Trump for even attempting diplomacy.
The broader issue, many on the right argue, is that Democrats like Schiff appear incapable of separating their hatred for Trump from America’s strategic interests abroad.
Instead of presenting a united front against hostile foreign powers, they say, figures like Schiff continually choose partisan attacks — even when America’s enemies are watching.
Schiff concluded his MSNBC appearance by claiming Trump had “trapped” the country and was “growing weaker and weaker.”
But for many conservatives, the senator’s performance only reinforced what they already believe: that some Democrats are so obsessed with opposing Trump that they risk undermining America’s position on the world stage in the process.
