Second Whistle Blower Emerges
2nd whistleblower comes forward after speaking with IG: Attorney
The appearance of a second whistleblower will muddy the waters for Herr Trump claiming the first whistleblower got his conversation all wrong.
The existence of a second whistleblower — particularly one who can speak directly about events involving the president related to conversations involving Ukraine — could undercut Trump’s repeated insistence that the original complaint, released on Sept. 26, was “totally inaccurate.”
Attorney Mark Zaid is also representing the 2nd whistleblower. It is said this whistleblower has first hand knowledge of some of the allegations made by the first whistle blower. The 2nd whistleblower has made what is called a “protected disclosure” and can not be retaliated against as the person is now protected by law.
Attorney Zaid tells ABC News’ Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos the second person — also described as an intelligence official — has first-hand knowledge of some of the allegations outlined in the original complaint and has been interviewed by the head of the intelligence community’s internal watchdog office, Michael Atkinson.
The House and IG investigation is moving forward with what the Trump administration has criticized as 2nd-hand information by the first whistleblower and also the recently disclosed first-hand knowledge of what was said during the phone call by a 2nd whistleblower. The corners are being rounded on Herr Trump with little chance of escape from the accusations. It will be interesting to see how McConnell and Republicans handle the total package of disclosures by whistleblowers. Will they provide cover for a malfeasant president? McConnell already said he would block the impeachment once it gets to the Senate.
And Trump tweets “Keep them Coming.”
Trump’s tweet in its entirety:
“The first so-called second hand information “Whistleblower” got my phone conversation almost completely wrong, so now word is they are going to the bench and another “Whistleblower” is coming in from the Deep State, also with second hand info. Meet with Shifty. Keep them coming!”
Whether WB #1 had 1st or 2nd hand information is irrelevant but he got the conversation very right. So that was a Trump liel. WB #2 had 1st hand information so another Trump lie. “Meet with Shifty”? What on earth is the Little Child in Chief trying to say here? Oh yea – more lies I presume. Hey Donald – keep these tweets coming!
Mark Zaid is a 1st rate lawyer. We should enjoy his dueling with Trump’s twin incompetents – RUDY and Sekulow!
Nothing will happen until the economy heads south.
Joel:
Perhaps. Maybe we should talk to NDD to make it happen?
The smart play for Republicans would be to huddle and tell Trump that he doesn’t have the votes in the Senate and that he should resign in exchange for a pardon from Pence. No Republican would actually have to go on record as voting to convict, so it would make life easier for those Republicans afraid of their base. It would also enhance their re-election chances in Nov 2020. Pence would be probably be stronger at the head of the ticket. That would be the rational plan of attack. Alas, GOP senators are so gutless and terrified of Trump that they can’t even find the courage to act in their own self-interest. If told that he didn’t have the votes in the Senate, I believe Trump would fold like a cheap suit. Once he’s gone the base will be just as happy with Pence and Trump could be safely ignored. They’re just to scared. Pathetic.
2slugs:
It would make sense for Republicans to find a way to push him out. He has no redeeming qualities which might make him worth keeping, is certainly not quiet about it all, and is chaffing for a fight which will only cause Republicans to lose more seats at the ballot box. Something in the short term is going to push this debacle over the edge which will cause Repubs to do something. I am sure he has been doing more than just talking to foreign leaders.
Pence is today’s Spiro Agnew. He has been involved in UkraineGate and needs to be removed from office too:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/pence-impeachment
I doubt the Republicans think Pence would be a better candidate for them than Trump. Trump’s MAGA forces are the base of the party today. I think the Republicans are terrified of losing them and consider that they have been able to accomplish much more of their basic agenda under Trump than they have under more “conventional” Republican presidents.
Seriously? You are hoping for a President Pence? WTF is wrong with you people?
Edmondo:
Nobody is hoping for Pence.
What was a farce is now becoming the most challenging times for our constitution since the 1850s IMHO. If the executive refuses to cooperate with Congress and the Senate continues to shirk any responsibility for upholding the separation of powers while the AG stonewalls and the courts do nothing, the only remedy is the people or a military coup. For the first time in my life, I began to think that we may end up having a banana republic style coup if this goes on much longer.
Wooley:
It is time to arrest someone t like Ken Starr did and toss them in jail.
It is actually past time to arrest someone.
The more delay the more harm to our democracy.
EM:
Like JackD said, it needs and should have gone to the courts a while back. Trump will keep it up until it becomes a court vs presidency contest. I know you know this. I am just talking.
It is not yet established that the courts will do nothing; they have not been given the opportunity. The House Democrats need to seek their support for enforcement of the subpoenas and they should do this as soon as possible to avoid foot dragging and delay in the litigation process. If the courts facilitate the disregard of the House investigation, then we’ll know but we don’t know yet.