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Trump: "We're trying to find out" identity of whistleblower

Asked whether he knew the identity of the Ukraine whistleblower, President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Monday that "we're trying to find out" before again arguing that his July telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was "perfect."

Why it matters: The whistleblower's attorney Andrew Bakaj tweeted moments after Trump's comments that his client is "entitled to anonymity. Law and policy support this and the individual is not to be retaliated against. Doing so is a violation of federal law."

  • On Saturday, Bakaj wrote to the chairmen of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees and the acting director of national intelligence about "serious concerns we have regarding our client's safety."
  • Bakaj specifically cited comments from a private event in which Trump was caught on tape comparing the whistleblower to a "spy" and suggesting that the U.S. used to handle "spies and treason ... a little differently than we do now."

Go deeper:

Go deeper

Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

McConnell drops filibuster demand, paving way for power-sharing deal

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (R) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell attend a joint session of Congress. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has abandoned his demand that Democrats state, in writing, that they would not abandon the legislative filibuster.

Between the lines: McConnell was never going to agree to a 50-50 power sharing deal without putting up a fight over keeping the 60-vote threshold. But the minority leader ultimately caved after it became clear that delaying the organizing resolution was no longer feasible.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Ashley Gold
5 hours ago - Technology

Scoop: Google won't donate to members of Congress who voted against election results

Sen. Ted Cruz led the group of Republicans who opposed certifying the results. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Google will not make contributions from its political action committee this cycle to any member of Congress who voted against certifying the results of the presidential election, following the deadly Capitol riot.

Why it matters: Several major businesses paused or pulled political donations following the events of Jan. 6, when pro-Trump rioters, riled up by former President Trump, stormed the Capitol on the day it was to certify the election results.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
6 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Minority Mitch still setting Senate agenda

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Chuck Schumer may be majority leader, yet in many ways, Mitch McConnell is still running the Senate show — and his counterpart is about done with it.

Why it matters: McConnell rolled over Democrats unapologetically, and kept tight control over his fellow Republicans, while in the majority. But he's showing equal skill as minority leader, using political jiujitsu to convert a perceived weakness into strength.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow