Transcripts released Friday in the impeachment inquiry show Republicans and Democrats repeatedly skirmishing over GOP questions that appeared aimed at drawing out the identity of the whistleblower who filed the initial complaint against President Donald Trump.
Trump himself speculated that the whistleblower "should be sued. And maybe for treason."
The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., finally intervened, saying: "It is the ruling of the chair that the witness shall not identify employees, detailees or contractors of the intelligence agency, or provide information that may lead to the revelation of the identity of the whistleblower, someone whose life has been put at risk."
Democrats "are determined to protect the right of that whistleblower to remain anonymous," Schiff said, "and we will not allow bad-faith efforts to out this whistleblower."
Pressed repeatedly, Volkov said of his client: "Look, he came here. He tells you he's not the whistleblower, okay? He says he feels uncomfortable about it. Try and respect his feelings at this point."
A person then identified only as "voice" interjects: "We're uncomfortable impeaching the president." Volkov then shot back: "What I'm telling you right now is you have to protect the identity of a whistleblower. I get that there may be political overtones. You guys go do what you got to do, but do not put this man ln the middle of it."