California Congressman Adam Schiff said Monday that he will not be running for president in 2020.
Schiff, a Democrat, appeared Monday in New Hampshire to speak at Saint Anselm College’s "Politics & Eggs" series, a regular stop for potential presidential contenders. But he made it clear that he's not planning to join the rapidly growing list of Democratic presidential hopefuls.
"I think we have a lot of extraordinary candidates," he said. "I will be looking to see who has the mettle, stature, gravitas to take on the president."
Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, spoke on several issues, including President Donald Trump's border wall and the Mueller report, during his stop in the Granite State.
Schiff is one of the leading members of Congress with the power to investigate the President, including on matters relating to the Mueller investigation.
"If the Justice Department or the administration somehow tries to block publication of the report, will he subpoena it? And the answer is yes. This is too big to be buried," Schiff said. "This is a two great consequence to the country to be swept under the rug."
He added that is also deeply concerned about what Trump is talking to Vladimir Putin about, privately, behind closed doors.
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"One thing I think we can safely conclude, he's not talking to him about adoptions," said Schiff.
Schiff wonders about some of the comments Trump has made seemingly out of left field.
"Last year, you might remember, the president saying, 'those Montenegrins, they are an aggressive people. Why are we embracing them and NATO?' They could get us into World War III?' Now, where does that come from," asked Schiff.
He said if Trump declares a national emergency to build the wall, Congress can still pass a resolution to negate those emergency powers.
"Would the Congress be in a position to pass, essentially, a resolution of disapproval or a resolution, which would negate the emergency powers? And the answer is yes," he said.
After his stop at Saint Anselm's, Schiff was scheduled to make two more stops in New Hampshire — at the Puritan Backroom Restaurant and a house party in Bedford.
