Second whistleblower ‘backs up’ complaint which sparked Trump impeachment probe

A second whistleblower has come forward in the impeachment case against President Donald Trump, according to the lawyer representing the first.

Mark Zaid said the second source, who also works in intelligence, has not filed an official complaint but had ‘first-hand knowledge’ that supported the original claim.

Trump has been accused of ‘using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country’ in the 2020 election by urging his Ukrainian counterpart, President Volodymyr Zelensky, to investigate Democrat rival Joe Biden and his son.

The US president and his supporters have rejected the ‘totally inaccurate’ accusations while Trump has also branded the inquiry ‘BULLS**T’ and suggested chair of the House intelligence committee Adam Schiff – derided as ‘Shifty’ – should face ‘arrest for treason’.

Mr Zaid shared the latest development with ABC and said both whistleblowers have legal protection preventing them from being fired in retaliation for making a complaint.

NEWS UPDATE: I can confirm this report of a second #whistleblower being represented by our legal team. They also made a protected disclosure under the law and cannot be retaliated against. This WBer has first hand knowledge. https://t.co/zYkUYgJ0mE

— Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) October 6, 2019

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!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 6, 2019

….and separately got 1.5 Billion Dollars from China despite no experience and for no apparent reason. There is NO WAY these can be legitimate transactions? As lawyers & others have stated, as President, I have an OBLIGATION to look into possible, or probable, CORRUPTION!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 6, 2019

Earlier, Mike Pompeo said his department intended to follow the law in the House impeachment investigation and vigorously defended Mr Trump.

The US secretary of state, who had listened in during the phone call, said: ‘There has been some suggestion somehow that it would be inappropriate for the United States government to engage in that activity and I see it just precisely the opposite.’