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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Legal Implications of Outing the Whistleblower

Legal Implications of Outing the Whistleblower

In one heated exchange during day three of the impeachment hearings, Rep. Adam Schiff cut off a line of questioning to protect the whistleblower’s identity, saying the whistleblower has “a statutory right to anonymity.” But the law he cited does not explicitly prohibit members of Congress from disclosing a whistleblower’s name.

Trump Misquotes Pelosi

Trump Misquotes Pelosi

In an early morning tweet, President Donald Trump falsely attributed a quote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The quote was actually a Fox News reporter’s characterization of Pelosi’s words. Trump then distorted what she actually said.

Scalise Spins Facts on Security Aid

Scalise Spins Facts on Security Aid

Rep. Steve Scalise spun two keys facts about Ukrainian aid to defend President Donald Trump against accusations that Trump withheld that aid to pressure Ukraine to investigate the alleged Ukraine interference in the 2016 U.S. election, as well as former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.

Discrepancy in White House Versions of First Trump-Zelensky Phone Call

Discrepancy in White House Versions of First Trump-Zelensky Phone Call

A White House statement issued April 21 said President Trump in a phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky “expressed his commitment to work together with President-elect Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people to implement reforms that strengthen democracy, increase prosperity, and root out corruption.” But a newly released White House memo of the April call showed Trump did not discuss any of that.

Trump’s Exaggerated Judicial Boasts

Trump’s Exaggerated Judicial Boasts

President Donald Trump recently boasted about the unusually high number of judicial appointments he has made so far, but in doing so he exaggerated and mischaracterized some of the facts.

Trump’s Economic Falsehoods

Trump’s Economic Falsehoods

President Donald Trump rattled off several false claims in his Nov. 12 speech to the Economic Club of New York, in which he contrasted the supposedly “bleak” outlook at the end of his predecessor’s term with an exaggerated portrayal of the economy’s strong performance during his own tenure.

Trump Misrepresents Impeachment Exchange

Trump Misrepresents Impeachment Exchange

President Donald Trump wrongly claimed that the two “‘star’ witnesses” from the first day of public impeachment hearings “stared straight ahead with a blank look on their face, remained silent, & were unable to answer” when asked whether Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president constituted an impeachable offense. 

FactChecking Biden’s CNN Town Hall

FactChecking Biden’s CNN Town Hall

In a televised town hall, former Vice President Joe Biden made several false or misleading statements while commenting on climate change, veterans and health care.

The Data on DACA and Crime

The Data on DACA and Crime

Hours before the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over whether the Trump administration could end a deferred deportation program for so-called “Dreamers,” the president tweeted that “some” of those receiving that protection “are very tough, hardened criminals.” But certain criminal activity, such as a felony or significant misdemeanor conviction, is grounds for denial or ejection from the program.