Second whistleblower comes forward after speaking with inspector general, attorney reveals

The attorney representing the whistleblower who filed a complaint against President Donald Trump revealed Sunday that he is now representing a second whistleblower with "firsthand knowledge" of some of the allegations against the president.

Attorney Mark Zaid confirmed to ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos that the second whistleblower has firsthand knowledge of some of the allegations outlined in the first complaint. Like the first whistleblower, Zaid's newest client is also an intelligence official.

Zaid also confirmed the whistleblower has already spoken to Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson.

The development is significant particularly because a second whistleblower could cast further doubt on Trump's denials that he did anything wrong.

The New York Times first reported Friday that a second whistleblower was weighing whether to file his own complaint. According to the Times, the official had firsthand knowledge that corroborated information contained in the first complaint.

In all, the first whistleblower said more than a half dozen U.S. officials had knowledge of Trump's alleged wrongdoing.

Zaid told the Washington Examiner on Sunday that the second whistleblower has not filed an official complaint because he "doesn't need to." Indeed, the Times reported that government officials who meet with inspectors general are "protected by federal law that outlaws reprisals."

However, Zaid told ABC News he was unsure if his new client is the same person mentioned by the Times.

Democrats have used the whistleblower's complaint as the springboard for an impeachment inquiry against Trump. A second whistleblower, especially one with more direct knowledge of the allegations, could help bolster their case against the president.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing.