Newly minted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday evening she has selected Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., to chair the House Intelligence Committee for the next two years.

“Today, it is my privilege to name Congressman Adam Schiff as the Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. His distinguished service on this committee, most recently as Ranking Member for the last four years, will be an essential and urgently needed asset as the Congress honors our oath to secure and defend the Constitution and protect the American people," Pelosi said in a statement.

Schiff was one of President Trump's toughest critics during the Republican leader's first two years in office and will now have the ability to subpoena documents in investigations of President Trump, his campaign, and inner circle. Pelosi said that's part of the reason she tapped him for the job.

“In the face of unprecedented assaults on our democratic institutions and the rise of new, complex national security threats, Congressman Schiff’s powerful intellect, deep legal expertise and steadfast leadership will be vital in keeping our country and communities safe. After years of Republican partisan antics and complicity in the President’s attempts to cover up the facts of the Trump-Russia connection," Pelosi said.

Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., served as chairman prior to Schiff's appointment.