Republicans House Members in the room for Wednesday’s Intelligence Committee public impeachment inquiry hearing laughed when committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) claimed he does not know the name of the whistleblower whose anonymous second-hand claim of misconduct by President Trump with regard to Ukraine instigated the partisan impeachment process by Democrats.
Schiff was challenged by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) on whether Republicans would be allowed to question the whistleblower, saying Schiff knew their name and that Schiff’s staff had met with them. Schiff denied knowing the name.
Rep. @Jim_Jordan rips @RepAdamSchiff for coordinating with the whistleblower.
Schiff claims he "does not know the identity of the whistleblower." pic.twitter.com/HdDQGmHwv8
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 13, 2019
The reaction by Republicans was reported by Alex Miller of Newsy, “Schiff says he doesn’t know the identity of the whistleblower, entire front row of republicans laugh.”
Schiff says he doesn't know the identity of the whistleblower, entire front row of republicans laugh.
— Alex Miller (@AlexMillerNews) November 13, 2019
Axios reporter Alayna Treene reported Republicans laughed and sneered, “Republican members of Congress in the audience laughed & sneered to each other when Schiff said this”
Republican members of Congress in the audience laughed & sneered to each other when Schiff said this https://t.co/a0aRpspXtm
— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) November 13, 2019
Schiff’s dubious claim (falsely reported as a “fact check”) was also challenged online by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), “In response to @Jim_Jordan, 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?”
In response to @Jim_Jordan, 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?
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) November 13, 2019
Daily Mail reporter David Martosko, “Adam Schiff claims he doesn’t know the identity of the Ukraine whistle-blower. How is this possible? His staff met with the person.”
https://twitter.com/dmartosko/status/1194640588655792128
Trump War Room co-host Raheem Kassam noted problems with Schiff’s denial, “Schiff says he doesn’t know the identity of the whistleblower, despite his staff being in contact with the whistleblower. Ok, but if he doesn’t know the identity, how can he as the Intel Chairman stop the whistleblower being named? And how is the name being redacted in docs?”
https://twitter.com/RaheemKassam/status/1194640357130149891
Presumably Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) was one of those laughing at Schiff from his front row seat.
Press tables are tucked right up in front of the first row of lawmakers spectating. Which means I also have a front row to some colorful commentary from GOP members. pic.twitter.com/lCnNpiCWRb
— K Tully-McManus (@ktullymcmanus) November 13, 2019
Unfortunately, Gohmert and his fellow Congressmen were placed by Schiff in “Bob Uecker” front row seats in the back of the room behind the media.
Here's all the media Schiff put between voting members and the back of witnesses heads. #SchiffMediaCircus pic.twitter.com/buq359H9VC
— Louie Gohmert (@replouiegohmert) November 13, 2019
Intel Committee Republicans set up a sign on their side of the dais that said, “93 days since Adam Schiff learned the identity of the whistleblower.
https://twitter.com/PatrickNkelley/status/1194618998614364161
Chairman Mao Tse Schiff is not amused.
In response to Committee members, @RepAdamSchiff says "we will not permit the outing of the whistleblower" on the Trump/Zelenskiy phone call. "We will do everything to protect the identity of the whistleblower," said Schiff. "Otherwise, members can ask any questions they like." pic.twitter.com/xapovJwJsW
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 13, 2019
