Chief Justice John Roberts blocked Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul’s question because it named the alleged whistleblower at the center of President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
It was the second straight day that the chief justice shot down a question from Paul, which included the name of the alleged whistleblower, who filed a complaint about Trump’s July 25th phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. (RELATED: Rand Paul Says He ‘Probably Will’ Out Trump Whistleblower)
“The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted,” Roberts said after Paul submitted his question.
WATCH:
Paul then left the senate chamber to read his question allowed to the press, which included the name of the alleged whistleblower, according to CNN Capital Hill Reporter Manu Raju. (RELATED: Does The Whistleblower Protection Act Really Guarantee The Whistleblower Anonymity?)
At press conference, Paul says: “I can tell you my question made no reference to any whistleblower.” Then Paul reads aloud his question which names a Schiff’s staff member and names the individual who has been reported as possible whistleblower – and asks about their contacts
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 30, 2020