Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffChris Matthews ripped for complimenting Trump's 'true presidential behavior' on Ginsburg Trump casts doubt on Ginsburg statement, wonders if it was written by Schiff, Pelosi or Schumer Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence MORE (Calif.) suggested Friday that President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE's pardon of a former George W. Bush administration official sends a message to the special counsel investigating his campaign for possible collusion with Russia.

Schiff said that Trump's decision Friday to pardon of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby — who was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in the probe into the disclosure of the identity of former covert CIA officer Valerie Plame during the Bush administration — signaled Trump's willingness to use pardons in the Russia investigation.

"On the day the President wrongly attacks Comey for being a 'leaker and liar' he considers pardoning a convicted leaker and liar, Scooter Libby. This is the President’s way of sending a message to those implicated in the Russia investigation: You have my back and I‘ll have yours," Schiff wrote on Twitter.

On the day the President wrongly attacks Comey for being a “leaker and liar” he considers pardoning a convicted leaker and liar, Scooter Libby. This is the President’s way of sending a message to those implicated in the Russia investigation: You have my back and I‘ll have yours. — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) April 13, 2018

Special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE has assembled a grand jury to probe witnesses related to Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election and has looked into whether Trump obstructed justice by firing former FBI Director James Comey James Brien ComeyDemocrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Book: FBI sex crimes investigator helped trigger October 2016 public probe of Clinton emails Trump jabs at FBI director over testimony on Russia, antifa MORE last May.

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A former attorney for Trump reportedly told lawyers representing former campaign associates indicted in Mueller's probe that the president could consider pardons if they cooperate as the investigation continues.

Schiff is the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, which held a parallel investigation into Russia's election meddling.

His comments on Trump's pardon of Libby come after House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare House lawmakers reach deal to avert shutdown Centrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill MORE (D-Calif.) said the move shows the president's allies that "obstruction of justice will be rewarded."

Libby, a former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, was convicted in 2007. Former President George W. Bush commuted his 30-month prison sentence, but did not pardon him.