Pompeo denounces 'harassment' after Democrats subpoena White House

The Trump administration complained Saturday of harassment by Democratic lawmakers who issued subpoenas for documents regarding President Donald Trump's alleged pressuring of Ukraine for political favors.

And in a key development, a potential second whistleblower was reportedly weighing whether to come forward.

The latest explosive turns in the impeachment investigation against Trump came as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Democratic-led congressional committees leading the probe of having "harassed and abused" State Department employees by contacting them directly for documents rather than going through department lawyers.

"That's harassment," Pompeo said during a visit to Athens, "and I'm never going to let that happen to my team." He called the impeachment drama "some silly gotcha game," saying the matter distracts from important issues like improving lives and growing economies.

The House committees issued their subpoenas -- including to the White House -- as evidence mounted that Trump abused his powers by attempting to withhold US military aid to pressure Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky into seeking damaging information on 2020 Democratic rival Joe Biden.

Trump has alleged that Biden's son Hunter earned "millions" from sitting on the board of directors of a Ukraine tycoon's gas company.

But no evidence has surfaced showing wrongdoing by either Biden. The impeachment investigation saga began after an original whistleblower -- reportedly a CIA analyst -- filed a formal complaint to the intelligence community inspector general about Trump's alleged pressuring of Zelensky.

"Look, nations do this," Pompeo said Saturday in Athens. "Nations work together and they say, 'Boy, goodness gracious, if you can help me with X, we'll help you achieve Y.' This is what partnerships do. It's win-win."