Trump rebukes U.S. Intelligence whistle blower as "partisan"

"It doesn't matter what I discussed," as he called the media a 'joke,' and the 'laughing stock of the world.'

The comments came in the wake of reports in recent days that the Trump Administration was preventing the Congress from finding out details behind a whistle blower complaint.

The Inspector General for the Intelligence Community had judged the issue to be of 'urgent concern,' but instead of following established federal law - which requires notifying Congress - the Justice Department and the acting Director of National Intelligence had refused to pass on the material.

The President argued that it was all politics.

"I just hear that it's a partisan person," Mr. Trump said, who was asked specifically if he had requested the help of the government in Ukraine to investigate someone who might be his opponents in 2020.

"This is all impeachable," said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI). "Not a close call. We need more facts, but we would be derelict in our duties not to pursue the facts wherever they lead," he added.

"Everybody's read it," President Trump said of the whistle blower's complaint, without confirming any details. "They laugh at it."

"It doesn't matter what I discussed," the President said of his conversation with another world leader - presumably of Ukraine.

"But I will say this, somebody ought to look into Joe Biden's statement," as Mr. Trump all but confirmed his desire for a foreign country to help investigate the Democratic Party leader for 2020.

On Capitol Hill, top Democrats said the President was clearly not following the law.

“The President and Acting DNI’s stonewalling must end immediately, and the whistleblower must be provided with every protection guaranteed by the law to defend the integrity of our government and ensure accountability and trust,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.