“He’s the ringmaster of this conspiracy," said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). | Alex Wong/Getty Images Schiff: Putin an 'unindicted co-conspirator' in Russian election meddling The congressman’s remarks come one day before President Donald Trump is set to meet one-on-one with the Russian leader in Helsinki.

Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Sunday called Russian President Vladimir Putin “essentially an unindicted co-conspirator” in Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

The congressman’s remarks come one day before President Donald Trump is set to meet one-on-one with the Russian leader in Helsinki.


“And not just any co-conspirator,” Schiff continued. “He’s the ringmaster of this conspiracy, and he’s going to be sitting down at the table with Donald Trump.”

The Trump-Putin get-together also follows special counsel Robert Mueller’s indictment Friday of 12 Russian military officers for hacking the Democratic National Committee ahead of the 2016 presidential race — charges Schiff said the Helsinki meeting undermines.

“Trump is basically saying that indictment is just a witch hunt. And that’s a great gift for Vladimir Putin,” Schiff said. “So, I think if Kim Jong Un can eat the president’s lunch, which I think he clearly did, it will be a very easy matter for Vladimir Putin.”