During a U.S. Senate hearing, President-elect Donald Trump’s CIA nominee, John Ratcliffe, publicly criticized Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) for allegedly spreading misinformation. Ratcliffe, a former intelligence officer who advised Trump in 2020, highlighted Schiff’s role in promoting a letter from 51 former intelligence officials that dismissed Hunter Biden’s laptop as Russian disinformation. Ratcliffe took a strong stance, emphasizing that he had been one of the few to stand up and speak the truth about the laptop’s authenticity.

Ratcliffe’s comments came as he sought to advance his nomination to head the CIA. He accused Schiff of abusing his power as the House Intelligence Committee chair by misleading the public about the laptop’s origins. Ratcliffe also referenced his own record of defending the intelligence community against politicization.

The controversy over the laptop resurfaced after Giuliani’s discovery of it in 2020, and subsequent investigations into the role of Democrats in downplaying its significance. These revelations have continued to shape partisan discussions on national security and misinformation.