A fundraising effort to defray legal costs for the anonymous intelligence community whistleblower raised more than $60,000 less than a day after it was set up.
The GoFundMe page was launched by Whistleblower Aid, a nonprofit organization, and includes support from the legal team representing the yet-to-be-identified whistleblower at the center of a complaint that prompted House Democrats to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Trump.
“The whistleblower took a great personal risk to defend our democracy, and did not do this for politics or personal gain. We need to have the whistleblower’s back,” the page reads.
“Let’s be clear–what’s happening is outrageous,” the page continues. “The law is clear–whistleblowers must be permitted to speak to Members of Congress anonymously. Lawful disclosures are a basic element of oversight and republican governance.”
The GoFundMe is signed off by lawyers representing the whistleblower: Andrew Bakaj, Chuck McCullough, and Mark Zaid.
Zaid confirmed its veracity in a Wednesday tweet, writing that he can confirm that the effort is “completely legit,” and that the team “would appreciate any and all support US citizens can give.”
I can confirm this fundraising effort for the #whistleblower by @wbaidlaw is completely legit.
We would appreciate any and all support US citizens can give. https://t.co/mqoJ8cTvJR
— Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) September 26, 2019
The whistleblower filed a complaint with the intelligence community inspector general in August that alleges Trump improperly pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate political rival Joe Biden.
A rough transcript of a July 25 phone call between the two leaders was released by the White House, and the complaint itself was made public Thursday morning before acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire testified before the House Intelligence Committee.
