House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he does not believe House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff’s claim that he does not know the identity of an anonymous whistleblower, whose complaint against President Trump launched the impeachment investigation.
“Yes,” the California Republican said when a reporter asked if he believes Schiff is lying. “And I don’t think it’s the first time he lied to us, either.
Schiff, a California Democrat, during the first public impeachment hearing Wednesday, told Republicans on the Intelligence Committee he does not know the identity of the whistleblower even though the person contacted his staff about the complaint earlier this year.
“I do not know the identity of the whistleblower, and I’m determined to make sure that identity is protected,” Schiff told Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan.
McCarthy said Schiff has a history of lying, and he pointed to Schiff’s public, unsubstantiated claims that there is evidence Trump colluded with Russians ahead of the 2016 election.
McCarthy did not provide direct evidence Schiff knows the identity of the whistleblower, although several media outlets reported his name.
McCarthy said Schiff lied when he initially said his office had no contact with the whistleblower.
Schiff then contacted the New York Times to explain that his staff had, in fact, worked with the whistleblower when he contacted them about his complaint.
“I think he has lied numerous times, and I do not think he is fit to be in charge of this committee,” McCarthy said.
