Today we learned that DNI Tulsi Gabbard continues to block key congressional leaders from seeing – in any form – the underlying, classified intelligence associated with our client’s disclosure. This is by no means surprising. The Administration’s assertion of “Executive Privilege” raises more questions than answers.

This raises the logical question of who was involved and why? Is the White House, which public reporting indicated was briefed on the complaint, involved in obstruction? All such speculation can be easily put to rest by DNI Gabbard cooperating with Congress and fulfilling her role by providing us and our client with direction on how to coordinate with the congressional intelligence committees to provide details concerning the complaint consistent with appropriate security practices. The law does not allow DNI Gabbard to block the whistleblower from going to Congress or from limiting what is disclosed.

We support Congress in its efforts to exercise its constitutional mandate to oversee the intelligence community, and we continue to monitor events closely.

– Andrew P. Bakaj, Chief Legal Counsel, WhistleblowerAid.org