Republicans attacking the original Trump-Ukraine whistleblower are using classic diversionary tactics. Unless they are entirely lacking rationality, or wholly ignorant, these Republicans must know that the identity and motive of the whistleblower already are irrelevant for the investigation into President Trump’s behavior.

There is not a single thing reported by the whistleblower that is not either already verified, already proved wrong, or ultimately verifiable. What matters isn’t the identity or motive of the second-hand witness; what matters is the conglomeration of facts (or incorrect allegations) he relates.