Tipsheet

Whistleblower's Attorney Blasts '60 Minutes' For 'Literally Making Stuff Up'

Leah Barkoukis
Leah Barkoukis  |  September 30, 2019 7:30 AM

A lawyer for the Ukraine whistleblower blasted CBS’s “60 Minutes” on Sunday for “literally making stuff up” in its reporting about a letter his legal group sent regarding their client’s safety.

In its reporting on the letter, “60 Minutes” claimed the whistleblower was under federal protection, even though that was clearly not stated in the letter. 

In response, the whistleblower’s legal team published the letter and called out “60 Minutes" for their shoddy reporting.

“NEWS ALERT: 60 Minutes completely misinterpreted contents of our letter, which is now published online at https://compassrosepllc.com/intelligence-community-whistleblower-matter/ …,” attorney Mark S. Zaid tweeted. “Nor have we, as we stated earlier today, reached any agreement with Congress on contact with the whistleblower. Discussions remain ongoing.”

Rather than issuing a correction, “60 Minutes” doubled down and said it “stands by its sources and reporting on the whistleblower.”

Recommended

Liberal Media Is Already Melting Down Over Pam Bondi Sarah Arnold
What Was the Matt Gaetz Attorney General Pick Really About? Josh Hammer

Zaid responded, knowing “60 Minutes” does not have outside sources on this matter and accused the program of lying. 


"Is @60Minutes now asserting it has a source other than letter our legal team sent to @ODNIgov? Because if it doesn't, and I know it doesn't, then it is literally making stuff up," he said. "That helps no one, especially the #whistleblower. The media should always accurately report facts."

The letter sent by the Compass Rose Legal Group to the acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, discussed the whistleblower’s safety concerns. 

"The purpose of this letter is to formally notify you of serious concerns we have regarding our client's personal safety," the attorneys wrote. "We appreciate your office’s support thus far to activate appropriate resources to ensure their safety.”

The letter singles out a comment from President Trump questioning who gave the whistleblower information, "because that's close to a spy"—arguing this statement has raised the level of concern for their client's safety.

On Sunday, Trump said he deserved to meet the whistleblower.