Press Releases

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement:

“The ongoing military coup in Myanmar over the last twenty-four hours threatens to reverse the country's imperfect progress towards democracy over the last decade. The military leadership of the Tatmadaw must immediately release civilian leaders who have been detained, return troops to their barracks, and restore full internet and telecommunications access to the public.

“When America speaks and acts, the world watches, and when our leaders propagate conspiracy theories and subvert democracy here at home, it sets a dangerous example for the rest of the world. That’s why the Tatmadaw’s claims of widespread voter irregularities and the baseless assertion that their strongman tactics represent the will of the people are so deeply disturbing.

“The Biden Administration is pressing for the restoration of civilian rule in Myanmar, and we must also sanction the senior military leaders responsible for this coup, and continue to advocate for the human rights of all ethnic groups and peoples living in Myanmar.

“The United States has a lot of work to do to restore its traditional role as a beacon of hope for free people around the world. That work starts now.”

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