Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is turning up the heat on Sable Offshore Corp. (SOC), accusing the company of putting profits ahead of safety and risking another major oil spill along the California coast. The 2015 oil spill from a ruptured pipeline near Santa Barbara caused significant environmental damage and led to the pipeline's shutdown. Now, Schiff wants answers about Sable's ties to President Donald Trump and whether the company is trying to bypass environmental protections.
In a post on X Wednesday, Schiff shared a letter he wrote to Sable CEO James C. Flores, demanding transparency. "Californians deserve transparency from Sable about its efforts to kill environmental protections and risk another big oil spill," Schiff said. He accused the company of "putting profit over people" and coordinating with the Trump administration to "dodge accountability from Congress." The letter included several pointed questions, including whether Sable made donations to Trump's campaign.
This isn't the first time California Democrats have clashed with Sable and the Trump administration over the pipeline. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) previously argued that the Trump administration illegally invoked the Defense Production Act to revive the pipeline, despite the risk of damage to the state's coastal economy. Gas prices in California remain stubbornly high, adding to the political tension.
Schiff Slams Trump's Airport Makeover as Gas Prices Bite
In a separate post on X, Schiff took aim at President Trump's ambitious plans for Washington Dulles International Airport. Trump outlined a $22 billion redesign, saying in a video shared by journalist Aaron Rupar, "Cost was no object, unfortunately or fortunately." Schiff pounced on that comment, contrasting it with the financial strain on everyday Americans.
"Cost is no object for Trump's vanity projects using your tax dollars, but it certainly is for most Americans at the grocery store and the gas station," Schiff said. "Imagine if he cared half as much about lowering your costs as he does about his gold-plated makeovers."
The criticism comes as gas prices remain elevated amid escalating tensions with Iran. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average for a gallon of regular gas stood at $4.0980 on Thursday, still above the psychologically important $4 mark. California continues to bear the brunt, with an average of $5.6480 per gallon. In Mono County, residents are paying the highest average price in the state at $6.8500 per gallon.
Schiff's dual attacks highlight a broader Democratic strategy: tying corporate and administration actions to the financial pain Americans are feeling at the pump and in stores. Whether it's Sable's pipeline or Trump's airport, the message is the same — someone else's priorities are costing you money.
