Whistleblower ‘endangered’ by Trump criticism

The lawyers for a whistle blower whose complaint triggered a US presidential impeachment inquiry say Donald Trump’s words are endangering their client.

Since the transcript of his call with the president of Ukraine was revealed, Mr Trump has called for the anonymous whistle blower to be unmasked.

Democrats say the whistle blower will testify to Congress “soon” once steps are taken to protect their identity.

Mr Trump has suggested his opponents could be arrested for treason.

A transcript of a call Mr Trump made to Ukraine’s new President Volodymyr Zelensky shows he urged him to investigate discredited corruption allegations against former vice-president and 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden as well as his son.

The call is now at the centre of an effort by Democrats that could see Mr Trump expelled from office, but doing so would require members of his Republican party to turn against him.