Updated: I had to rewrite aspects if this several times as I became more and more enraged by Paul’s asinine legislation. Apologies to those who read earlier responses, … … … First, if Rand Paul actually cared at all about justice, he would be leading the charge to stop the illegal suppression of witnesses and testimony subpoenaed by the House for their investigations. In this particular case the whistleblower only reported that there were legitimate concerns expressed by others regarding what they heard and observed; and DID NOT IN ANY WAY ALLEGE THAT CRIMES WERE COMMITTED, NOR PROVIDE ANY FACTS TO SUPPORT THAT CRIMES WERE COMMITTED- only the concerns of others. The fact that Republicans want this person to testify is astonishing since they have stated that only first hand testimony is relevant. The selective questionable application of legal principles to support party goals in one instance and then to argue that opposite, contradictory legal principles must apply to another aspect in order support their party’s attempt to indemnify their prior actions demonstrates the highly corrupting influence of the regimented party-before-country, party-before-principles dominance of the Republican Party; and if there enough thinking people left in the electorate, will accelerate the demise of the current Republican Party. .… … … Otherwise; Absolutely NO to Paul’s asinine proposal. If a bystander witnesses a cartel massacre, anonymously tells police that they witnessed it, provide details of the car that was used, the weapons employed, people they saw, how they conducted the massacre, the time it happened, which way the car went afterwards and so forth - and all of these details are verified by independent investigations and asserted to by credible witnesses; Why should this whistleblower be subjected the very real threats to their lives and livelihoods by being compelled to publicly testify? Fact are facts irregardless of whoever first pointed out concerns that facts may exist. If facts are corroborated by many witnesses there is absolutely no need to identify the person who properly alerted officials. This bill makes no sense at all and would certainly prevent bystanders from ever reporting crimes. In addressing the Randy reason for proposing this, trump’s own hateful rhetoric inferring that this whistleblower is treasonous and should be subject to capital punishment is reason enough to protect their identity. The innocents slaughtered in San Antonio which was inspired by trump’s race-based hateful rhetoric highlights the danger to our patriotic whistleblower and the incredibly stupid claim that they could ever be protected from any retaliation. Particularly in the case; the whistleblower never alleged any crimes, only the concerns of others and the irregular actions that occurred that legitimately led to concerns that something inappropriate was done. Credible witnesses, who put themselves and their careers at risk validated those concerns and more. So, who exactly is the ‘accuser’ that the alleged criminal has any right to confront? The whistleblower reported concerns through legal channels and the testimony of credible witnesses validated those concerns which led directly to factually based indictable charges of wrong doing. There is absolutely no reason at all to compel him or her to testify. I suggest Rand Paul sponsor legislation to mandate imprisonment of a minimum of 5 years for any person inside or outside the government who out’s a whistleblower identity as well as an immediate removal from office of any elected official or political appointee that either out’s a whistleblower or is complicit in doing so. Then, and only then, would I even ever want to consider this ludicrous proposal. I suggest that the RNC and Republican Party start acting like officers of the court and seek truth and not to engage in distracting side-shows. If they continue to collectively cover their butts from their own complicity in not reigning in their Frankenstein president from trampling our Constitutional and legislated laws; if they continue to abuse their role in honoring their duty to perform adequate checks of the balance of powers, a much more informed and less easily misled electorate will hold them to account. A Senate trial will be as much about the perceived corrupting of the Republican Party as it is about trump’s abuses. Even if trump ‘wins’, the Republican Party may ‘lose’ big if they continue to engage in simply covering their tracks by willful tactics designed to thwart the pursuit of justice. It’s a big gamble to take. You all feeling lucky, punks!