Sen. Adam Schiff’s latest probe smells like a political fishing expedition. The California Democrat is scrutinizing a Secret Service request to raise Ohio’s Little Miami River for Vice President JD Vance’s 41st birthday kayak trip, as NBC News reports. His sanctimonious letter demands answers, but reeks of partisan posturing.
On Aug. 2, Vance enjoyed a family kayaking outing, unaware that the Secret Service had the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tweak Caesar Creek Lake’s outflow. Schiff’s probe, launched after reports from the Associated Press, questions this as a potential abuse of power. It’s a classic case of making waves over a ripple.
Schiff’s letter, shared first with NBC News, targets Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Army official Adam Telle, and Secret Service Director Sean Curran. He demands answers by Sept. 5, waving the flag of “public resource” misuse. Yet, the Secret Service insists their call was standard protocol, not a Vance-orchestrated plot.
The Secret Service adjusted water levels to ensure safe navigation for their motorized watercraft, alongside local law enforcement and emergency responders. Their statement on Friday clarified that Vance’s office had no hand in the decision. Schiff’s attempt to paint this as a Trump administration scandal feels like a stretch.
Vance’s spokesperson, Taylor Van Kirk, confirmed the vice president was clueless about the river tweak. “The Secret Service often employs protective measures without the knowledge of the Vice President or his staff,” Van Kirk told the Associated Press. Schiff’s insinuation of deliberate manipulation seems more like a gotcha than governance.
Schiff’s letter questions why Vance wasn’t informed of the water level change, implying some nefarious cover-up. But the Secret Service doubled down, stating agents made the call during routine advance planning. The outrage over a kayak trip’s logistics is peak bureaucratic busybody.
The California senator calls the river adjustment “unjustified and frivolous,” but his moralizing rings hollow. He’s quick to cry foul over a birthday paddle while dodging scrutiny over his controversies. The Justice Department’s recent probe into Schiff’s alleged mortgage fraud suggests he’s not exactly Mr. Clean.
Schiff denies the fraud allegations, predictably claiming they’re politically motivated. This is rich coming from a man who spearheaded both of Trump’s impeachments with zealous fervor. His sudden concern for public resources feels like a convenient distraction from his troubles.
The Army Corps’ decision to increase outflows from Caesar Creek Lake was reported by multiple outlets this month. It was a practical move to support Secret Service operations, not a lavish gift to Vance. Schiff’s attempt to spin this into a scandal is the real frivolous act here.
Schiff ties the river incident to a broader narrative, accusing the Trump administration of exploiting public resources. He cites a past decision during the Los Angeles fires, where water releases from California reservoirs didn’t aid firefighting efforts. Linking a kayak trip to wildfire mismanagement is a leap only a career partisan could make.
“With the most recent act at Caesar Creek Lake, the Trump administration is providing further evidence of its willingness to exploit public resources,” Schiff wrote. This hyperbolic claim ignores the Secret Service’s clear explanation of operational necessity. It’s almost as if Schiff’s fishing for headlines, not truth.
The senator hopes public scrutiny will “refocus” the Army Corps on its mission to secure the nation and reduce disaster risks. Noble words, but they lose weight when coming from someone under investigation himself. Pot, meet kettle.
Schiff’s probe demands confirmation that Vance’s office was informed of the water level tweak. He questions why Vance wasn’t told about this “manipulation” for his “personal benefit.” The implication of corruption is as flimsy as a paper canoe.
The Secret Service’s actions were about safety, not pampering a vice president. Their decisions, made independently, reflect standard procedure for protecting high-profile figures. Schiff’s outrage seems more about scoring points than safeguarding public trust.
This entire saga is a textbook example of progressive overreach masquerading as oversight. While Schiff clutches pearls over a kayak trip, real issues like economic recovery or national security take a backseat. His probe is less about accountability and more about keeping the anti-Trump spotlight burning.
