The anonymous whistleblower whose allegations about US President Donald Trump’s dealings with Ukraine ignited a House of Representatives inquiry into the US President has offered to answer questions of American lawmakers in a written format, the whistleblower’s attorney Mark Zaid said on Twitter.
Lawyer says Trump-Zelensky whistleblower willing to answer written questions from Republicans
STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 4, ARTSAKHPRESS: Zaid said he offered to have Republican lawmakers submit questions to his client directly without having to go through the House Intelligence Committee’s Democratic majority.
The whistleblower previously offered to answer lawmakers' questions under oath and in writing if they were submitted by the House Intelligence Committee as a whole, CNN reported.
This new offer would be a direct channel of communication with the Republicans who are in the minority on that committee. Republican leadership has complained that the process is unfair and overly restrictive on their ability to question witnesses.
In a series of tweets, Zaid said Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee have sought to "expose our client's identity which could jeopardize their safety, as well as that of their family."
"Despite long standing policy of HPSCI to protect #whistleblowers, especially anonymity (btw, this was consistent with my efforts w/GOP on #Benghazi), GOP has sought to expose our client's identity which could jeopardize their safety, as well as that of their family," Zaid tweeted Sunday morning.
The lawyer continued: "We have offered to @DevinNunes, Ranking HPSCI Member, opportunity for Minority to submit through legal team written questions to WBer. Qs cannot seek identifying info, regarding which we will not provide, or otherwise be inappropriate. We will ensure timely answers. We stand ready to cooperate and ensure facts - rather than partisanship - dictates any process involving the #whistleblower."
Rep. Jim Jordan, the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee, said Sunday that written answers from the whistleblower are not sufficient, and said lawmakers need to hear from the whistleblower in person.
"Written answers will not provide a sufficient opportunity to probe all the relevant facts and cross examine the so-called Whistleblower. You don't get to ignite an impeachment effort and never account for your actions and role in orchestrating it," Jordan said.
Trump has repeatedly attacked the whistleblower and tried to discredit the individual, saying he deserves to "meet his accuser" and has demanded the whistleblower's identity be revealed.
