House Intelligence Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) informed Ranking Member Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) he will not allow the whistleblower to testify for a public hearing in the impeachment inquiry on Saturday.
Schiff's letter, which was obtained by Townhall, was in response to Nunes' witness list request that was sent to Schiff on Saturday. Other witnesses Nunes listed included, Hunter Biden, former Vice President Joe Biden's son, Devon Archer, a former board member of Burisma Holdings and business partner to Hunter Biden, and Nellie Ohr, a former contractor for opposition research firm Fusion GPS whose work "assisted in the production of the Steele Dossier."
Schiff said because of concern for the whistleblower's safety and because other witnesses have confirmed what they raised the alarm over, having them testify would be "redundant and unnecessary." He further signaled Hunter Biden would also not appear.
"As we move to open hearings, it is important to underscore that the impeachment inquiry, and the Committee, will not serve as vehicles for any Member to carry out the same sham investigations into the Bidens or debunked conspiracies about 2016 U.S. election interference that President Trump pressed Ukraine to conduct for his personal political benefit," Schiff wrote.
Adding since the whistleblower "has a right under laws championed by this Committee to remain anonymous and be protected from harm," Schiff said because the evidence gathered to date "far exceeds" the initial complaint, the whistleblower will not need to testify.
Near the start of the impeachment inquiry, Schiff said he expected the whistleblower to testify and was working with their lawyers to set up a time.
We have been informed by the whistleblower’s counsel that their client would like to speak to our committee and has requested guidance from the Acting DNI as to how to do so.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) September 24, 2019
We‘re in touch with counsel and look forward to the whistleblower’s testimony as soon as this week.
Republicans have accused Schiff of changing his position since the whistleblower had contact with his office prior to filing the complaint.