Central Intelligence Agency general counsel Courtney Elwood has emerged as a key figure in the whistleblower’s decision to file a complaint about President Donald Trump’s alleged abuse of power, triggering a historic impeachment inquiry. 

The agent first submitted his concerns anonymously to Elwood, according to The New York Times, which has identified the anonymous whistleblower as a CIA agent. Elwood discussed the agent’s accusations with Justice Department officials and White House counsel John Eisenberg before determining that the concerns had a “reasonable basis.”