House Democrats consider masking identity of whistleblower from Trump's GOP allies in Congress

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post

House Democrats eager to protect a whistleblower who raised alarms over President Trump pressuring a foreign leader to investigate a political rival are considering testimony at a remote location and possibly obscuring the individual’s appearance and voice — extraordinary moves to prevent Trump’s congressional allies from revealing the identity, according to three officials familiar with the discussions.

Democratic investigators are concerned that without such rare precautions, Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee could learn and then leak the identity of the whistleblower, who has agreed to answer questions before the intelligence committees in the House and Senate. Democrats overseeing the logistics of the testimony for the House impeachment inquiry are discussing a location away from the Capitol as well as a staff-only session that would prevent lawmakers from attending and asking questions.

Aides have considered having the whistleblower testify from a separate location via a video hookup in which the camera would obscure the whistleblower’s image and alter his voice, possibly with modification technology. They also are talking about having the whistleblower sit behind a screen or partition. A third option being floated includes audio-only testimony.

“Schiff does not want to burn his identity,” a senior congressional official said. “There are lots of different protocols and procedures we’re looking into to find out what works and doesn’t work to protect the identity of the whistleblower,” said a different official familiar with the talks. “That is paramount.” The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to freely describe private deliberations.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-democrats-consider-masking-identity-of-whistleblower-from-trumps-gop-allies-in-congress/2019/10/07/171a4b14-e927-11e9-9306-47cb0324fd44_story.html

[lettucebe]

1. They absolutely must do this

A whistleblower has the right to be protected. If his/her identity is released there is no way to protect said person, so yes, absolutely do not let them F things up by disclosing the person's identity.

Pretty bad that it's come to this, but that's what happens when you put an unqualified buffoon into office. Please no more reality stars and no more "billionaires." Reality stars are not qualified to run the country, and no billionaire could ever fully be removed from all the conflicts of interest.

[qazplm135]

2. smart moves, hope it works

but someone will eventually leak it.

[cstanleytech]

3. I can understand it as the Republicans have proven that they cannot be trusted.

[FBaggins]

4. Not sure that can work

Not just the obvious due process concerns, but they can't force the Senate to go along with it.

[Mr.Bill]

7. The chief justice of the Supreme Court

runs the proceedings in the Senate trial.

[Calista241]

14. Mitch McConnell will determine the rules. Roberts will just swing the gavel.

[Mr.Bill]

17. The rules are pretty well laid out in the Constitution.

Last edited Mon Oct 7, 2019, 06:29 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.heritage.org/constitution/#!/articles/1/essays/17/trial-of-impeachment

[Calista241]

33. It doesn't say anything about witnesses or questioners.

Roberts will be there largely because the Constitution says he has to be, not because he’s going to preside over some formal, serious process.

There was a lot of contention over rules in the Clinton impeachment. They’ll be different for a Trump impeachment. Most Republican and all the Democratic Senators wanted the Clinton impeachment to go away while looking legitimate, and the rules were designed to make that happen.

[FBaggins]

22. Untrue. He's almost entirely ceremonial

I’m not sure why anyone believes that he would rule differently from how Republicans would otherwise want him to... but they can change any ruling that he makes.

[ancianita]

5. Because if Schiff burns the whistleblower's identity, he will be stalked, dragged before media,

then shot on 5th Avenue.

[dewsgirl]

9. :(

[Mr.Bill]

6. As an added bonus,

hopefully the republicans will boycott the hearings.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

8. Good moves. Video testimony.....

Voice distortion, but understandable. Protect the identity as much as possible because Republicans CANNOT be trusted.

[certainot]

26. but then they will say it proves it's all made up....

[RKP5637]

10. The only way IMO! n/t

[yaesu]

11. They should, they should not trust anyone in the GOP crime family. nt

[dlk]

12. Republicans would leak the whistleblower's identity in a heartbeat

They would intentionally put this person’s life at risk for payback. The Democrats have no choice but to
take whatever steps are necessary to protect the whistleblower.

[bluestarone]

13. Fully AGREE!

[louis-t]

15. They had better.

[NCjack]

16. I suspect that by now the goons, stooges, and stumblers have

ID'ed the whistleblower. If not, the testimony offers a big opportunity. For example, they can get a good start at reducing their list of candidates by examining the list of absentees on the day of the testimony.

Q&As through the WB's lawyer is the safest. After all, it was good enough for the president to deliver answers to Mr. Muelller.

[ffr]

18. Masked completely. One leak and tRump will have this person MURDERED.

No question about it. The WB already has a price on their head from RW goons willing to do tRump's dirty work.

Only way to testify would be to do it in a shell game, with multiple others who'd be willing to pose as the WB at many undisclosed locations.

[bucolic_frolic]

19. Trust Nunes

with classified info at your own risk

[Tiggeroshii]

20. Couldn't leaking his name land any of those dockets in prison?

[sakabatou]

21. Republicans can't be trusted

They'd leak info and get the person killed.

[HootieMcBoob]

23. Does anybody think Nunes

Would not immediately go running to The White House with whatever information on the whistleblower’s identity he had. That man can not be trusted. None of them can.

[Beartracks]

24. They need to, lest some Republican reveal it, y'know, "as a joke." n/t

[Lib 4 Life]

25. I'm glad to see Schiff make this call.

[beachbumbob]

27. Really no choice as that persons life is already in danger

[Linda Ed]

28. Rightfully so

We witnessed what Devin Nunes did when he got information and run to the WH to tell them all!!

[Duppers]

29. A MUST. nt

[MustLoveBeagles]

30. This is a wise precaution

[hughee99]

31. Yes, Only Dems should be able to talk to the whistleblower or even know who it is.

That’s going to make a Senate trial kind of strange, though.

[NoodleyAppendage]

32. Better yet, set a TRAP

Schiff and others should figure out a system by which if there is any information leaked out they will have proof of the leaker's identity (i.e., Devin Nunes) and then refer that TRAITOR for a separate criminal complaint.

J

[TryLogic]

34. Republicans absolutely cannot be trusted.

A description of them could be described as: profiles in unAmerican, self-serving cowardice and rampant corruption.

[tclambert]

35. You've got to. Nunes would absolutely spill it.

[Martin Eden]

36. If identity revealed, this patriot would have to be in witness protection program

For the rest of his or her life.

Too many RW nutjobs out there with guns.

[DeminPennswoods]

37. I think the whistleblower's attorney and law firm

would have to set up and host such a remote testimony session.

[smb]

38. Is DeepFake Technology Good Enough To...

...give the whistleblower a specific face and voice -- say that of Ronald Reagan, to troll the Republicans (since they're going to be butthurt anyway, they might as well have something to be butthurt about that doesn't in any way impinge on the actual legitimacy of the process).

[BumRushDaShow]

39. ...