The long-awaited list by Republicans for their requested witnesses during the impeachment hearings has finally been released.
At the top of that list was House Intelligence Committee chairman, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), as well as the whistleblower in the case.
Nunes Requests Schiff
The request for Schiff to appear was made by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA).
Nunes sent a letter directly to Schiff and requested the appearance be held in private for obvious reasons.
His letter stated,
“On November 6th, you announced the beginning of public hearings associated with the Democratic Party’s partisan impeachment inquiry into President Donald J. Trump.
“Based on the precedent and lack of jurisdiction, the House Intelligence Committee should not take the lead in conducting such hearings; however, by now the American people know your desire to see the duly-elected president removed from office outweighs your sense of responsibility to running a functioning intelligence oversight committee.
“Prior to the start of your public show trial next week, at least one additional closed-door deposition must take place.
“Specifically, I request that you sit for a closed-door deposition before the House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight Committees.
“Although you publicly claim nothing inappropriate was discussed, the three committees deserve to hear directly from you the substance and circumstances surrounding any discussions conducted with the whistleblower, and any instructions you issued regarding those discussions.
“Given that you have reneged on your public commitment to let the committees interview the whistleblower directly, you are the only individual who can provide clarity as to these conversations.
“As you know, the House Intelligence Committee has precedent for such an arrangement. During the Committee’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, sitting Members of Congress agreed to participate in closed-door depositions.
“Given your championing of such an arrangement two years ago, you should have no problem with you appearing before the three committees to discuss your interactions with the whistleblower.”
The last part of that letter is the key issue because we know Schiff lied about his initial contact with the whistleblower and that needs to be cleared up if Schiff is to remain as the official chair of this impeachment.
Additional Witnesses
As promised, Republicans are hoping Schiff will allow them to question the whistleblower.
While these hearings are supposed to be public, it is a safe assumption that if Schiff approves this witness, and that is a longshot at best, that particular testimony will either be given in private or with some type of identity protection for the witness.
The other witnesses submitted were:
- Devon Archer – former business partner of Hunter Biden
- Hunter Biden
- Alexandra Chalupa – former DNC staffer
- David Hale – Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs
- Tim Morrison – former Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs on the NSC
- Nellie Ohr – former GPS Fusion contractor
- Kurt Volker – U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine
Additionally, the GOP is asking for anyone involved with the whistleblower drafting his complaint.
This is a very well-crafted list because there is likely to be at least one refusal by Schiff in addition to the whistleblower.
If Schiff refuses to allow someone like Biden or Archer to testify, it gives Republicans plenty to rail about in the media in terms of Democrats facilitating a coverup for Joe Biden to protect his candidacy.