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Trump impeachment: Second whistleblower emerges | Trump impeachment: Second whistleblower emerges |
(about 8 hours later) | |
A second whistleblower has come forward in the impeachment case against US President Donald Trump, according to lawyers representing the first one. | A second whistleblower has come forward in the impeachment case against US President Donald Trump, according to lawyers representing the first one. |
Mark Zaid told ABC News the second person was also an intelligence official and they had spoken to the inspector general. | Mark Zaid told ABC News the second person was also an intelligence official and they had spoken to the inspector general. |
Late on Sunday night, Mr Trump lashed out at Democratic leaders, suggesting they should be impeached. | Late on Sunday night, Mr Trump lashed out at Democratic leaders, suggesting they should be impeached. |
No details have been released about the second whistleblower's claims. | No details have been released about the second whistleblower's claims. |
However, Mr Zaid said the person had first-hand knowledge of allegations associated with the phone call Mr Trump made with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on 25 July. | However, Mr Zaid said the person had first-hand knowledge of allegations associated with the phone call Mr Trump made with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on 25 July. |
The impeachment inquiry stems from the call, which was flagged up by the initial whistleblower in August. | The impeachment inquiry stems from the call, which was flagged up by the initial whistleblower in August. |
On Friday, the New York Times reported that a second person was considering coming forward who had "more direct information" about the events surrounding the call. | On Friday, the New York Times reported that a second person was considering coming forward who had "more direct information" about the events surrounding the call. |
It is not yet known if this is the person represented by Mr Zaid. | It is not yet known if this is the person represented by Mr Zaid. |
Mr Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani tweeted that he was not surprised there was another "secret source", calling the inquiry politically motivated and lashing out at the "swamp media". | Mr Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani tweeted that he was not surprised there was another "secret source", calling the inquiry politically motivated and lashing out at the "swamp media". |
What difference could a second report make? | What difference could a second report make? |
The Democrat-led investigating committee is eager to speak to someone who witnessed the call directly or has more information. | The Democrat-led investigating committee is eager to speak to someone who witnessed the call directly or has more information. |
They are hopeful that this could be that person. | They are hopeful that this could be that person. |
The second source has not yet filed an official complaint or spoken to the committee. | The second source has not yet filed an official complaint or spoken to the committee. |
However, the New York Times says the person spoke to the intelligence community's inspector general, who has reportedly been seeking to corroborate the first testimony. | However, the New York Times says the person spoke to the intelligence community's inspector general, who has reportedly been seeking to corroborate the first testimony. |
The White House insists it has been open and it released a transcript of the call, after the concerns came to light. | The White House insists it has been open and it released a transcript of the call, after the concerns came to light. |
However, investigators point out that this was only a partial transcript. They have subpoenaed the State Department for more documents related to the call. | However, investigators point out that this was only a partial transcript. They have subpoenaed the State Department for more documents related to the call. |
On Saturday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he would comply with the request, but complained that his staff were being harassed. | On Saturday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he would comply with the request, but complained that his staff were being harassed. |
But White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said the new whistleblower changed nothing. | |
She said in a statement: "It doesn't matter how many people decide to call themselves whistleblowers about the same telephone call - a call the president already made public - it doesn't change the fact that he has done nothing wrong." | |
What has Trump said? | What has Trump said? |
Late on Sunday night, Mr Trump raged against Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence committee who has played a prominent role following the first whistleblower's complaint, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. | Late on Sunday night, Mr Trump raged against Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence committee who has played a prominent role following the first whistleblower's complaint, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. |
Four quick questions on Trump-Ukraine | Four quick questions on Trump-Ukraine |
Why is Mr Trump being investigated? | Why is Mr Trump being investigated? |
A whistleblower alleges he used "the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the US 2020 election", by asking Ukraine to investigate his leading rival, Joe Biden. | A whistleblower alleges he used "the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the US 2020 election", by asking Ukraine to investigate his leading rival, Joe Biden. |
Is this illegal? | Is this illegal? |
If this is what he's proven to have done, then yes: it is illegal to ask foreign entities for help winning a US election. Mr Trump says it's a witch-hunt and he did nothing wrong. | If this is what he's proven to have done, then yes: it is illegal to ask foreign entities for help winning a US election. Mr Trump says it's a witch-hunt and he did nothing wrong. |
What could happen next? | What could happen next? |
If the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives voted to impeach Mr Trump, there'd be a trial in the Senate. | If the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives voted to impeach Mr Trump, there'd be a trial in the Senate. |
Could he be removed? | Could he be removed? |
A Senate vote needs a two-thirds majority to convict, but Mr Trump's Republican party controls the Senate so that's unlikely. And the Mueller inquiry made clear you can't charge a sitting president with a crime. | A Senate vote needs a two-thirds majority to convict, but Mr Trump's Republican party controls the Senate so that's unlikely. And the Mueller inquiry made clear you can't charge a sitting president with a crime. |