The ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said James Comey's just-released written account of President Trump's actions was "certainly evidence of interference or obstruction."

Rep. Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff claims DHS is blocking whistleblower's access to records before testimony GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power Rubio on peaceful transfer of power: 'We will have a legitimate & fair election' MORE (D-Calif.) made the comments at a Washington Post "Securing Tomorrow" event Wednesday evening, the day before former FBI head James Comey's widely anticipated testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee.

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Schiff's statements come on the heels of the bombshell release of Comey's written testimony earlier in the day. Comey's seven-page opening statement confirms many of the allegations about Trump levied by the press since Comey's firing, including the president's asking for loyalty pledges and pushing Comey to abandon investigations into former national security advisor Michael Flynn.

"It confirmed some of our worst fears," said Schiff.

On Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats Daniel (Dan) Ray CoatsFBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Trump, Biden renew push for Latino support Former Intel chief had 'deep suspicions' that Putin 'had something on Trump': book MORE and NSA Director Mike Rogers testified at the Senate Intelligence Committee, and both refused to answer whether Trump had asked them to hamper the FBI Russia probe. The intelligence leaders were grilled by senators, who noted that executive privilege had not been invoked and that their requests would not expose classified secrets - the only reasons Coats and Rogers could rightfully decline to testify.

Schiff said he had spoken to Rogers after the Senate testimony to express that he felt the testimony was unacceptable.

"Plainly the reason they refused was to avoid embarrassment to the White House, perhaps to maintain their employment," he said. He later added: "My guess is that the White House wanted them to say nothing, but didn't want to leave their executive privilege fingerprints on it."

Schiff gave qualified praise to new CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who he said was largely doing and saying the right things, but suggested he might be "trying to keep his head down and out of the orbit of the president in this nonsense."

Schiff was interviewed live, on stage at the event by reporter David Ignatius.

The congressman cautioned those concerned by Trump early in the talk not to burn out on outrage.

"We can't lose our capacity to be shocked by this," said Schiff.