Calls to release whistleblower's identity 'despicable': Schumer

"The calls to make public the whistleblower's identity are despicable,' Schumer said. "The whole purpose of the whistleblower law was pto protect people when they had the courage to come forward."

When asked about Republican Rand Paul's comments that whistleblower statute only applies to protecting their identity by the inspector general and that media reports say that no one else is under any legal obligation, Schumer replied: "I think that was a total misreading of the law...The idea is to protect his identity.'

The U.S. official whose whistleblower complaint led to the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump offered to communicate directly with Republicans on the intelligence committee leading the inquiry, lawyer Mark Zaid said on Sunday.

Republicans have "sought to expose our client's identity which could jeopardize their safety, as well as that of their family," Zaid wrote on Twitter.