House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff claimed Thursday that President Donald Trump's actions detailed in a newly released whistleblower complaint read like "a classic organized crime shakedown," before hearing testimony from acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire.
Maguire, who released the complaint to Congress and the public this week after weeks of delay, testified that the whistleblower "did the right thing."
In his opening statement, Maguire emphasized his respect for the committee.
"I respect you, I respect this committee, and I welcome and take seriously the committee's oversight role," he said. Maguire, who served in the Navy for 36 years, added: "I am not partisan, I am not political."
The whistleblower complaint details a call between Trump and Ukraine's president in which Trump pressures the leader to investigate political rival Joe Biden.
Democrats have criticized Maguire for withholding the complaint.
Schiff says the whistleblower shows "more of a dedication of country, more of an understanding of the president's oath of office, than the president himself."
Trump has denied doing anything wrong.
Under questioning from Democrat Jim Himes, Maguire would not say whether he discussed the whistleblower complaint with Trump.
He said his conversations with the president about intelligence matters are "privileged" and that disclosing them "would destroy my relationship with the president in intelligence matters."
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