Rep. Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffTop Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies MORE (D-Calif.) on Tuesday said that Donald Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE Jr.'s meeting with a Russian lawyer offering compromising information on Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE during last year's presidential race could be possible evidence of collusion.

"Certainly if the Trump campaign went to a meeting with the Russians seeking to enlist or receive the help of the Russian government in getting damaging information. ... That would be a potential form of collusion," Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said in an interview on "MSNBC's "Morning Joe.

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Schiff said it is still in the "category of allegation that needs to be investigated" but added that it is "very direct potential evidence of the Russians communicating with the campaign."

" 'We have stuff that would help your campaign. We want to help your father get elected.' So, yes, that's potential evidence," he said.

Schiff was further pressed on whether that would be illegal.

"It very well could be illegal," Schiff said.

His comments come after a report Monday that Trump Jr. was told before his meeting with the Russian lawyer that the harmful information about Clinton was part of a Russian government effort to help Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

The New York Times reported Monday that the publicist who set up the meeting last year between Trump Jr. and the Russian lawyer told Trump Jr. in an email that the potential information was from the Russian government in an attempt to help his father.

In a statement to the paper, Trump Jr.'s lawyer dismissed the report, calling it "much ado about nothing."