SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal expressed confidence Tuesday in Congress’ legal battle to obtain President Donald Trump’s taxes, while criticizing the president for what he termed “theatrics.”

“I think from what happened yesterday on the President’s side, talking about how Congressman (Adam) Schiff should be arrested for treason, that’s entertainment,” said Neal, chairman of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee. “Our job is not to entertain the American people.”

Trump, a former reality TV personality, has been criticized in recent days for a retweet that hints at a civil war if he were to be removed from office.

Neal took questions at an impromptu news conference in a Springfield front yard following an announcement about a veterans housing initiative.

Neal’s committee has sued Trump to get his tax returns. News broke from Washington over the weekend that a second whistleblower, a federal employee, has come forward saying Trump an his administration used inappropriate influence to influence an audit of Trump. Neal sent a letter to the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Aug. 8 asking for communications between the IRS and Treasury employees who were involved in the Audit of Trump.

“It is accurate to say that there has been an individual who stepped forward and made some allegations and the legal counsel for the committee. They are proceeding on the basis of trying to interview the individual,” Neal said.

When asked how this new wrinkle in the tax saga will impact the wider impeachment probe, Neal didn't have an answer.

"It's hard to say at this point, because as it makes its way through the federal court system there will be time make that assessment, possibly later," Neal said. "We think that the case is very sound."

Neal has been careful not to say anything that might damage the case which hinges on Congress' argument that it needs the taxes for the legitimate government purpose of oversight and not for politics.

"You can see I'm very guarded about what I have to say because this is an active court case," he said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tasked Neal land five other committee chairs to provide evidence to the House Judiciary Committee as part of the impeachment inquiry.

Meanwhile, Neal said the work of Congress goes on and he's working on legislation. His committee is renegotiating the USMCA, a hemispheric trade agreement. He's passed retirement and IRS reform legislation.

Asked about how Republicans are reacting and reminded of former Sen. Jeff Flake’s call for GOP members to save themselves and their reputations, Neal said many of his Republican colleagues are “standoffish” on the subject.