Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is now one of Donald Trump’s biggest allies when it comes to the impeachment inquiry. In his latest bidding for the president, Paul called on the media last night to reveal the identity of the whistleblower (watch above). His “request” came as he stood next to Trump at a rally in Lexington, Kentucky.
.@RandPaul: "We also now know the name of the whistleblower. The whistleblower needs to come forward as a material witness bc he worked for Joe Biden at the same time Hunter Biden was getting money from corrupt oligarchs. I say tonight to the media, do your job & print his name." pic.twitter.com/jpy8esYURK
— The Hill (@thehill) November 5, 2019
Paul’s comments drew intense criticism from many who accused him of putting the anonymous U.S. intelligence officer in danger, a firestorm that turned the senator’s name into a top trending term on Twitter with more than 63,000 mentions.
I am seriously struggling to find consistency between the purported libertarian philosophy of Rand Paul and his desire to place a lawful whistleblower in harm’s way.
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) November 5, 2019
USA Today opinion columnist Sophia Nelson says:
Let me be clear: Senator #RandPaul & the President of the United States are inciting others to violate the federal #TheWhistleblower Protection Act of 1989, 5 USC 2302 by demanding that this patriot be “uncovered”. It is a CRIME to do so!
JUST NOW: "“He didn't want to break the law directly on national television so he requested that you do it… It’s terribly wrong and harmful to the country.” @SenAngusKing on @RandPaul’s calls for media to out the whistleblower.@NewDay
— John Berman (@JohnBerman) November 5, 2019
In response to @randpaul at Trump rally, whistleblower attorney @MarkSZaidEsq says any member of Congress who calls for the identity of a lawful whistleblower to be revealed against their wishes, "disgraces the office they hold & betrays the interests of the Constitution…"
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 5, 2019
I call on Rand Paul to have the courage to immediately find the other Rand Paul. The Rand Paul I used to admire. The Rand Paul who wasn’t emasculated by Donald Trump. https://t.co/bWquqRMlgq
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) November 5, 2019
