Rep. Adam Schiff (D), Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee heading the impeachment inquiry hearings of President Donald Trump, may have lied about his knowledge of who the whistleblower in the case is.
When Rep. Jim Jordan (R) pointed out that Schiff was the “only member” who knows the identity of the whistleblower, Schiff responded by calling the statement “false,” when in fact it has already been proven that Schiff’s office had interviewed the anonymous whistleblower.
"Do you anticipate when we might vote on the ability to have the whistleblower in front of us... [Out of] the 435 members of Congress, you are the only member who knows who that individual is," Jordan said. "And your staff is the only staff of any member of Congress who's had a chance to talk with that individual. We would like that opportunity. When might that happen in this proceeding today?"
"First, as the gentleman knows, that’s a false statement," Schiff replied. "I do not know the identity of the whistleblower and I’m determined to make sure that identity is protected. But as I said... you’ll have an opportunity after the witnesses testify to make a motion to subpoena any witness and compel a vote."
Just as Schiff denied knowing the identity of the whistleblower, all of the Republicans members of congress sitting in the front row began to laugh among themselves.
But does Schiff know the whistleblower's identity and is lying that he doesn't?
Prior to the impeachment hearing, Schiff did say that his office did not speak directly with the whistleblower, but news reports confirm that the whistleblower reached out to Schiff’s office before the hearing.
Arizona Rep. Doug Collins (R) tweeted,” Adam Schiff claims he doesn't know the identity of the whistleblower. If he doesn't know their identity, how will he prevent them from being named?”
Hmmm?
An aide says Schiff meant the full committee here. To me it seems like a deceptive answer. https://t.co/1vvHZyFv9O
— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) October 2, 2019
