Trump's Revenge
War hero Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman has been fired from the National Security Council for the crime of telling the truth
"Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth."
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman wasn’t just any witness during the House impeachment inquiry.
He was the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council. He had represented the US government when he attended, along with Energy Secretary Rick Perry, the inauguration of Ukrainian President Zelensky in May, 2019. He was a decorated military veteran who had literally bled for his country. As Task and Purpose reported:
Vindman's awards include the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th award), Valorous Unit Award, National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Presidential Service Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff identification Badge, and Navy Unit Commendation.
Vindman testified because, as he famously said, in November: “This is America… and here right matters.” He testified to his belief that America was different because of the rights it gives its people and the example it sets for the world:
My simple act of appearing here today, just like the courage of my colleagues who have also truthfully testified before this committee, would not be tolerated in many places around the world…. (in Russia) offering public testimony involving the president would surely cost me my life.
He also spoke directly to his father who had fled the Soviet Union 40 years ago:
Dad, (the fact) I'm sitting here today in the U.S. Capitol, talking to our elected professionals, is proof that you made the right decision 40 years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to the United States of America in search of a better life for our family.
Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth.
Vindman, of course, was not fine. He was attacked by the White House even while he was testifying. And today, as The New York Times reports, he was unceremoniously removed from the NSC:
The decision to move Colonel Vindman out of the White House… comes as Mr. Trump and his allies have made clear that they will seek to exact payback against those he blames for triggering his impeachment and trial. During his White House event, Mr. Trump denounced the “evil” and “corrupt” people who investigated him, and his spokeswoman went on television to declare that anyone who hurt the president “should pay for” it.
While America might not be Russia yet, this Trumpian move sends a clear message to all those charged with protecting America: Telling the truth about the impeached-but-not-exonerated President’s crimes and corruption is now a fireable offense.
“All public servants of integrity at are risk”
Trump’s act of revenge provoked outrage on Twitter.
Former DOJ spokesman Matthew Miller tweeted:
Law professor and NBC legal analyst Barb McQuade tweeted:
Former US Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal tweeted:
Holly Figueroa O’Reilly slammed all the Senate Republicans who told us Trump would be chastened by impeachment:
And the VoteVets organization tweeted a video contrasting Vindman’s record of courage and service with that of Cadet Bone Spurs himself:
Democrats have long warned about “Trump unleashed.” The week isn’t even over and those warnings are already being proved correct.
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