On the second day of questioning during the impeachment trial, Senator Rand Paul’s question submitted to be addressed by Adam Schiff and the President’s legal counsel was rejected by Chief Justice John Roberts.
Chief Justice Roberts first read the question over to himself then refused to read it aloud saying, “The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted”.
Roll Call reported Paul could be heard arguing on the floor of the Senate for his question to be asked:
“During a break in the trial, Sen. Rand Paul could be seen on the Senate floor seeking assurances that he will not be blocked from asking a question. The Kentucky Republican appeared less than pleased with Secretary of the Majority Laura Dove. “I don’t want to have to stand up to try and fight for recognition,” Paul said loud enough to be audible from the galleries above the chamber. “If I have to fight for recognition, I will.“
Senator Paul, having been unsatisfied by this denial, then tweeted out the question that Chief Justice Roberts refused to read.
“My exact question was: Are you aware that House intelligence committee staffer Shawn Misko had a close relationship with Eric Ciaramella while at the National Security Council together and are you aware and how do you respond to reports that Ciaramella and Misko may have worked together to plot impeaching the President before there were formal house impeachment proceedings.”
Chief Justice Roberts’ refusal to read the question as stated is proof of the identity of the whistleblower. Nowhere in the question does Senator Rand Paul mention a whistleblower. He mentions the name of someone who is suspected to be the whistleblower but doesn’t actually accuse him of it. Regardless, he is pertinent to the case due to the origin of the impeachment investigation.
