Thread by @MiekeEoyang

Schiff starting off with the core of the President's responsibilities here.

Really going to fundamentals about what the Constitution and the nation means.

"It reads like a classic organized crime shakedown"

Schiff was a formal federal prosecutor, he knows what that looks like.

Schiff calls the situation a tragedy that leads them to consider the constitutional remedy for addressing this kind of abuse: "Impeachment."

"The system depends on whistleblowers... if whistleblowers come to understands they will not be protected 1 of 2 things happen: wrongdoing will not be reported, or they take matters into their own hands."

Schiff praising Maguire's professionalism, thought he would be good at the job, and sorrowful in Maguire's behavior around this incident, and why he's chosen to hold it back.

Nunes claims this is an "information op", trying to gaslight America into thinking this is just a political op.

Remember: the Trump-appointed ICIG found this complaint "credible" and a matter of "urgent concern" that went to the core of the DNI's mission.

Nunes' attempt to discredit the whistleblower's claim relies on a conspiracy that would include:

The media
A foreign country invaded by Russia
the ICIG
A whistleblower
A political party.

I've known Democrats my whole career. We're not organized enough to pull this off.

Nunes claims that the Democrats were colluding with Russia.

Ignoring:

1) Putin preferred Trump
2) Russian social media campaign only supported HRC's opponents
3) Trump invited Russian interference on camera
4) Hillary did not become President.

Swearing Maguire in now.

Maguire starting out with respect for @RepAdamSchiff and HPSCI. Setting a professional tone, saying he values oversight.

@RepAdamSchiff Maguire says that his oath is also a covenant with his workforce, talks about how seriously he takes the oath to the Constitution.

I look forward to his testimony!

@RepAdamSchiff Maguire clearly cares about his own personal integrity. We'll see how he handles GOP questioning in this hearing.

@RepAdamSchiff Maguire states his support for the whistleblower, their rights and the laws.

We must protect those who report alleged wrong doing.

Maguire says the IG is protecting the whistleblower's identity and will protect him from retaliation.

Protecting the workforce is Maguire's #1 concern.

Maguire says that this complaint alleged a matter of "urgent concern" which is a legally protected category under whistleblower law.

Maguire claims that, per DOJ, the call is protected by executive privilege.

To be clear, Executive privilege has been understood to cover communications between the President and his staff, to protect deliberative process & candid advice. It's like attorney-client privilege.

The presence of a non-USG official in the conversation -- like a foreign head of state -- destroys the privilege.

It is a flawed legal analysis on what executive privilege is and really problematic here.

OLC opinion that Maguire just referenced here: lawfareblog.com/olc-issues-opi…

Maguire says that he supported IG's decision to notify the committee of the whistleblower's complaint.

Schiff asks Maguire whether he thinks the allegation is one of serious wrongdoing by the President of the United States?

"Yes, that is the subject of the complaint."

Schiff: Did you think the complaint was credible?

Maguire: I did not question the IG's determination that it was credible. "It was not for me to judge" whether it was credible.

Schiff: Can we not agree that the IG made a sound decision that this is credible?

Maguire: Yes.

Schiff: Can we agree that this was urgent, that the President was withholding aid to Ukraine?

Maguire: It was urgent and important.

Schiff: in this case you sought a second opinion on whether Shall really means shall.

Maguire: it also involved matters of executive privilege.

Also, I find this claim that executive privilege can be used to prevent someone who is choosing to speak significantly different than using it to *shield* someone who *doesn't* want to speak.

Schiff asks who Maguire consulted first DOJ/OLC or WH?

Maguire: DOJ OLC first.

Schiff, on try #3: is the whistleblower a hack?

Maguire: I think the whistleblower did the right thing and followed the process every step of the way.