Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr
Richard Mauze BurrBiden campaign adds staff in three battleground states Exclusive investigation on the coronavirus pandemic: Where was Congress? Trump asserts his power over Republicans MORE (R-N.C.) said on Thursday that he does not think the identity of the whistleblower at the center of the House impeachment inquiry should be publicly disclosed.
Richard Mauze BurrBiden campaign adds staff in three battleground states Exclusive investigation on the coronavirus pandemic: Where was Congress? Trump asserts his power over Republicans MORE (R-N.C.) said on Thursday that he does not think the identity of the whistleblower at the center of the House impeachment inquiry should be publicly disclosed. Asked by reporters if he wanted the individual's identity to be made public, Burr told reporters that he "never" thought that.
"We protect whistleblowers. We protect witnesses in our committee," Burr added.
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His comments come as President Trump
Donald John TrumpSecret Service members who helped organize Pence Arizona trip test positive for COVID-19: report Trump administration planning pandemic office at the State Department: report Iran releases photo of damaged nuclear fuel production site: report MORE and some of his allies on Capitol Hill have called for the whistleblower to come forward and for the individual's name to be publicly released.
Donald John TrumpSecret Service members who helped organize Pence Arizona trip test positive for COVID-19: report Trump administration planning pandemic office at the State Department: report Iran releases photo of damaged nuclear fuel production site: report MORE and some of his allies on Capitol Hill have called for the whistleblower to come forward and for the individual's name to be publicly released. 
Lindsey Olin GrahamHillicon Valley: Senate panel advances bill targeting online child sexual abuse | Trump administration awards tech group contract to build 'virtual' wall | Advocacy groups urge Congress to ban facial recognition technologies Senate panel advances bill targeting online child sexual abuse The Hill's Campaign Report: The political heavyweights in Tuesday's primary fights MORE (R-S.C.), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, told reporters earlier this week.Sen. Rand Paul
Randal (Rand) Howard PaulGOP Arizona lawmaker says Fauci and Birx 'undermine' Trump's coronavirus response Fauci: 'We are not going in the right direction' FBI says Breonna Taylor case is 'top priority' for Louisville agents MORE (R-Ky.) also called for the media to publicly out the whistleblower during a rally with Trump in Kentucky — to the consternation of many of his colleagues — telling reporters: "Do your job and print his name." Burr's committee is reviewing the process behind the whistleblower complaint, the handling of which created a high-profile split within the administration.
The complaint — tied to Trump asking Ukraine to open a probe into former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenThe Hill's Campaign Report: Biden chips away at Trump's fundraising advantage The Memo: Trump grows weak as clock ticks down Nina Turner addresses Biden's search for a running mate MORE and his son Hunter Biden — is also at the center of the House impeachment inquiry, which is looking into whether or not Trump conditioned aid to the country on it agreeing to open up an investigation.
Joe BidenThe Hill's Campaign Report: Biden chips away at Trump's fundraising advantage The Memo: Trump grows weak as clock ticks down Nina Turner addresses Biden's search for a running mate MORE and his son Hunter Biden — is also at the center of the House impeachment inquiry, which is looking into whether or not Trump conditioned aid to the country on it agreeing to open up an investigation. Burr, however, does want to speak with the whistleblower as part of his committee's investigation into the process.
Lawyers for the whistleblower have offered to have the individual provide written answers to questions under oath. But Burr told The Hill late last week that the setup was "not acceptable."
“We have a proven track record of protecting people's identity,” Burr added at the time.
He added on Thursday that he believed the whistleblower's attorneys had done a "reversal" since they made initial contact about making the individual available.
"I just think that they were disingenuous when they ... sent us a letter saying how anxious they were to come before the committee," he added.
