The attorney representing the whistleblower who filed a complaint against President Donald Trump scolded CBS' "60 Minutes" over the weekend for inaccurate reporting.
On Sunday, "60 Minutes" reported it had "obtained a letter that indicates the government whistleblower who set off the impeachment inquiry of President Trump is under federal protection because they fear for their safety."
But according to Mark Zaid, the attorney representing the whistleblower, "60 Minutes" had "completely misinterpreted" a letter released by his law office updating the public on negotiations between his client and Congress regarding the whistleblower testifying before Congress.
Zaid's correction is significant because the false assertion made by "60 Minutes" would likely induce further backlash against the president, who in recent days has invoked "spy" language to frame the whistleblower and those who gave the whistleblower the information that formed the basis of the intelligence complaint against Trump.
However, "60 Minutes" responded to Zaid and said it stands by its reporting.
In response, Zaid suggested the TV show was "literally making stuff up."
Zaid's statements also refute a claim made by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Sunday, who claimed his committee has reached a tentative agreement with the whistleblower regarding his testimony. Zaid said no such agreement has been reached.
