Rand Paul Frustrated After John Roberts Rejects Whistleblower Question in Impeachment Trial

Posted on January 30, 2020
(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

(CNN) – Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky expressed frustration with Republican leadership during the Senate impeachment trial Wednesday night after it was made clear Chief Justice John Roberts would not read his question that named the alleged Ukraine whistleblower; that, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

The development brought Roberts into an unusual position in the trial, where he has served in large part to guide the proceedings, not to decide or make any rulings on how they proceed.

But prior to the 16-hour question-and-answer period for the trial, Roberts made clear that he would not read the name of the alleged whistleblower, nor would he consider questions that would move to clearly identify the individual, the sources said. Roberts, in his role, reads each question submitted by senators.

He was able to review questions from senators who submitted them prior to the start of Wednesday’s proceedings, according to two sources. Paul’s question, which sources said was revised several times but explicitly would have named the alleged whistleblower, ran afoul of the line Roberts drew on the matter.

Paul, for his part, could be seen and overheard expressing his frustration on the Senate floor during a break in the proceedings. “If I have to fight for recognition, I will,” he was heard telling a Republican staffer.

The dispute created a behind-the-scenes issue that Republican leaders were attempting to resolve, though no solution had been reached by Wednesday evening:

Paul said during a break during Wednesday night’s proceedings that “it’s still an ongoing process” and the question “may happen tomorrow.”
There have been several other whistleblower questions, some that even included identifying information, which Roberts has read. It’s the alleged name itself that is his red line, sources said.

(CNN)

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