Newsom appoints Schiff to Senate to complete Butler term

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) to the Senate to complete the rest of appointee Sen. Laphonza Butler’s (D) term.

The appointment means Schiff, who has served in the House since 2001 and won election to the Senate last month, will begin work in the upper chamber several weeks before the start of the next Congress in early January.

Butler replaced the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) in October 2023 and said she would not run for a full term, opening the race up to Schiff and others.

Schiff has emerged as one of President-elect Trump’s top critics in the House. He led Trump’s first impeachment and has openly said his rhetoric reflects “dictator talk.”

Butler announced her resignation effective Sunday, and Schiff was appointed by the governor.

In a statement, Newsom highlighted Butler’s lifetime achievements and accomplishments when filling in for Feinstein.

“Laphonza has never shied away from fighting for what’s right. She works not for recognition, but for the greater good — a commitment that began long before her time in the Senate and will continue well beyond it,” Newsom said. “Thank you, Senator Butler, for your dedication and service and for honoring the life and legacy of the late Dianne Feinstein, a legacy I’m confident Senator-elect Schiff will also carry forward.”

Schiff will enter the Senate alongside new Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.). Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.) appointed Kim to the Senate on Sunday, too.

The new California senator appears to be a target for Trump, even as the Democrat appears to want to work across the aisle in his new position.

Schiff has maintained he will not be intimidated by Trump, but President Biden is reportedly considering offering Schiff a preemptive pardon in light of president-elect's threats to go after his political enemies.

Schiff has said he does not want a pardon from Biden because he has “more confidence in our system” to withstand potential abuses by Trump.

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