Senate committee wants in camera session on whistleblowing complaint

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has accused House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of politicizing a whistleblower complaint about corruption. President Trump's phone call with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.

McConnell said the Intelligence Committee senators wanted an in camera briefing on the issue.

"I was disappointed to see our colleague, the Democratic leader, choose to politicize the committee's ongoing efforts regarding a recent whistleblower allegation, the specific subject of which is still unknown," McConnell said. .

McConnell criticized Schiff for publicly commenting on the allegation and his intention to publicly grill the acting National Intelligence Director, Joseph Maguire, of the case this week.

McConnell said the Senate Intelligence Panel was working to have Maguire discuss with the panel during a classified session, out of the fire of the politicized public.

"It is unfortunate that the Speaker of the House Intelligence Committee, Schiff, and Senator Schumer have chosen to politicize the issue," McConnell said.

Maguire blocked the publication of the whistleblower's transcript. Trump said he could release him and called the charges against him "false news".

Democrats believe Trump, during his telephone conversation with Zelensky on July 25, has let American security help hover in exchange for Ukraine's investigation of its main rival, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .

Schiff invited Maguire to testify Thursday in a rare public hearing before the secret spy panel in order to pressure Maguire to publish the transcript of the appeal.

The United States released $ 250 million worth of military aid to Ukraine earlier this month after Trump threatened to withhold funds.

Trump said that the late sending of money to Ukraine had nothing to do with his efforts to get the government to investigate Biden.

"I would not do that," said Trump.

McConnell said he had long lobbied the White House for it to provide aid to Ukraine.

"I raised the issue with the Secretary of State," McConnell said. "My staff also hired senior officials at the Pentagon, the State Department, the National Security Council and the Office of Management and Budget."