Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is facing intense criticism after a resurfaced 2023 video shows him passionately denouncing government shutdowns under former President Joe Biden, while now, with President Donald Trump back in power and another shutdown on the horizon, Schiff is shifting blame onto Republicans.
The video, now circulating widely on social media, captures Schiff warning of dire consequences for federal workers, TSA employees, and military personnel who would miss paychecks during a shutdown—when Democrats controlled both the Senate and the White House.
Schiff’s Contradictory Statements on Government Shutdowns
In the 2023 video, Schiff spoke out against shutdowns, emphasizing the negative impact on federal workers:
“Had the government shut down, hundreds of thousands of people would not have gotten their paychecks. Federal employees would have been furloughed, sent home. Others deemed essential, like TSA workers, would have been forced to go to work without pay.”
However, in 2025, Schiff’s stance has taken a dramatic turn. In a newly released TikTok video, he places full responsibility for a potential shutdown on the Republican-controlled Congress, stating:
“So is the government shutting down? Well, that depends on Donald Trump and the Republicans. They control the White House. They control the House. They control the Senate. It’s really up to them.”
Schiff further suggested that Congress should pass a short-term measure to allow time for negotiations on long-term funding levels, adding:
“What we should do is something short-term that will allow members of Congress to agree on setting regular funding levels for every part of the government and to insist that they be observed by the president.”
Critics Call Out Schiff’s “Blatant Hypocrisy”
Schiff’s flip-flop on government shutdowns has sparked outrage online, with critics accusing him of blatant hypocrisy and double standards.
Many users on social media pointed out that Schiff and fellow Democrats previously employed partisan budget measures during the Biden administration to push their own legislative agenda.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) joked:
“I am not a violent person nor am I suggesting that anyone do this. However, don’t you want to punch this A-hole in the face every time he opens his lie hole? (Get it? I changed pie hole to lie hole. I get credit for coining the phrase!!)”
Another commented:
“If you look in a dictionary for the meaning of ‘hypocrisy,’ you’ll see the face of Adam Schiff.”
More users chimed in:
“Can’t believe a word any DemocRAT says, especially Adam ‘Pencil Neck’ Schiff, a proven and serial liar.”
“Adam Schiff voted for all of Biden’s CRs and now they are playing chicken to see who blinks first. The Democrats want their way and will shut down the government. They have been using our tax dollars to support their elections and go after Republicans. This can’t stand.” — Southern Belle X account
Schiff Blames Republicans While Defending Controversial Funding Bill
In his latest video, Schiff accused Republicans of passing a partisan resolution that adjusted various funding levels and stripped Congress of the power to overturn Trump’s tariffs. Critics argue that Democrats have repeatedly used similar budget tactics in past administrations, making Schiff’s outrage seem disingenuous.
Elon Musk’s Government Efficiency Task Force Takes Action Amid Shutdown Concerns
As political tensions rise over the looming shutdown, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—overseen by White House advisor Elon Musk—is working to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal government.
On Feb. 18, DOGE announced that it was collaborating with federal agencies to simplify credit card accounts and cut administrative costs. According to a report by USA Today, the federal government held a staggering 4.6 million credit cards and recorded 90 million unique transactions in the fiscal year 2024.
Just a week later, President Donald Trump issued an executive order launching a “transformation in Federal spending”—which included a 30-day freeze on agency employee credit cards to curb excessive and unverified spending.
On Tuesday, DOGE released its three-week update on the canceled credit cards, stating that the pilot program is currently auditing 16 agencies. Among them, the Health and Human Services Department and the Department of the Interior were highlighted for making significant progress in reducing unnecessary expenditures.
Final Thoughts
As the government shutdown debate intensifies, Schiff’s resurfaced video is fueling accusations of political hypocrisy. With Republicans now in control, Schiff’s sudden shift in rhetoric suggests a pattern of partisan blame games that critics argue undermine his credibility.
Meanwhile, the Musk-led Government Efficiency Task Force continues to uncover massive federal spending inefficiencies, with Trump’s executive order signaling a strong stance on fiscal responsibility.
With the Biden and Trump administrations being held to different standards by lawmakers, it remains to be seen whether the American public will hold politicians like Schiff accountable for their inconsistent narratives on government spending and shutdowns.