House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., questions Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire,as he testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

We’ve had a lot of news popping over the past few days with the impeachment proceedings as well as the IG report.

But there’s an important note that we didn’t want to let pass without commenting upon it.

A typical questionable move from the House Intel Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA).

You may have noticed that it wasn’t Schiff presenting his Committee’s findings to the Judiciary Committee for consideration, but instead Daniel Goldman, the House Intelligence Committee’s Democratic counsel.

The ranking member on the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) pointed out that Schiff, having lead the investigation and having it come out of his committee, should be the one testifying.

From NY Post:

“Adam Schiff, when he told us he wasn’t going to come, instead hiding behind his staff, he also told us that we’re gonna keep investigating because they know this is going nowhere in the Senate and they’re desperate to have an impeachment vote on this president,” Collins said in his opening statement.

Collins raised the issue with Goldman, asking, “Where’s Adam?”

Rep. Collins: "Where's Adam? It's his report, his name. Mr. Goldman, you're a great attorney but you're not Adam Schiff and you don't wear a pin." pic.twitter.com/6oNR89yevY

— ForAmerica 🇺🇸 (@ForAmerica) December 9, 2019

From The Hill:

Collins called having Goldman offer the evidence a “charade.”

“We’re going through this charade of staff having to answer staff questions and basically when we don’t like how it’s going we start asking staff on staff and getting into a staff argument,” said Collins, referring to points during Monday’s hearing that saw staff for the panel question other staff members.

“Where’s Adam? It’s his report. Mr. Goldman, you’re a great attorney, but you’re not Adam Schiff and you don’t wear a pin.”

“That’s true,” Goldman responded.

If Schiff has nothing to worry about, why is he not willing to testify and put his own report on the record? Unless it is that he’s hesitant to give it under oath, knowing that he would be questioned about things like his contact with witnesses, in particular, the whistleblower.

His glaring absence said a mouthful.

But Republicans had a few visual aids to make the point about what Schiff was trying to do.

"MISSING: Adam Schiff"

Sign in #impeachinghearings shows Rep. Adam Schiff on a milk carton. pic.twitter.com/FVZUO0MTp7

— The Hill (@thehill) December 10, 2019

New GOP sign: A milk carton “Missing” ad for Intel Chair Adam Schiff.

Says: “If found, contact Chairman Nadler.” pic.twitter.com/Zyn48s7Yj4

— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) December 9, 2019

They also pointed out how Schiff’s desire to put the whistleblower forward flipped once his staff’s contacts with him became public.

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are displaying several signs.

My favorite? The one on the far left, criticizing Chairman Adam Schiff for not attending/testifying. It depicts Schiff as "missing" on the side of a milk carton. pic.twitter.com/lsyRhR6pzr

— Audrey Nguyễn (@audreynlnguyen) December 9, 2019

Some media, like the NY Post, communicated the point. Others, like this one who’s actually the White House reporter for CNBC, not only didn’t get it, but apparently didn’t bother to ask or figure out why. Or simply didn’t care to communicate the point to their readers.

Update: There is now a milk carton "missing" poster for Intel chair Adam Schiff on the GOP side of the Judiciary hearing.

Unclear why this matters. Schiff has no formal role in the events today. #ImpeachmentHearing pic.twitter.com/7kznRifFFO

— Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) December 9, 2019

But good on the GOP for making the point!