Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is leaving his post at the National Security Council, Fox News confirmed Friday.
The timeline of Vindman’s departure is unclear. Vindman was apparently planning to leave his post at the end of the month, but his exit could come sooner.
The news comes after reports that the White House was weighing options to dismiss Vindman from the NSC in an effort to shrink its foreign policy bureaucracy. Bloomberg reported Thursday that the White House planned to frame Vindman’s exit as part of an NSC staff downsizing, not retaliation.
Vindman, though, was an important witness for Democrats during the House impeachment inquiry. Vindman raised concerns over President Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he pressed Kiev to launch an investigation concerning presidential candidate Joe Biden’s family.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., on Friday blasted the White House’s removal of Vindman, calling it a “subversion of justice.”
Congress investigates betting scandals rocking NBA and Major League Baseball following federal charges
Bodycam shows Charlotte train murder suspect’s interaction with police months before Iryna Zarutska stabbing
Louisiana death row inmate freed after nearly 30 years as overturned conviction upends case
Alleged National Guard shooter worked with US government entities in Afghanistan, including CIA: Ratcliffe
Alleged DC shooter entered US under Afghan resettlement push Mayorkas vowed would be done ‘swiftly and safely’
Trump pins DC National Guard shooting on Biden’s post-Afghanistan immigration policy
Afghan National Guard Shooter Entered US Under Biden Immigration Program in 2021 During Afghan Withdrawal: Report
LAX travelers abandon cars, walk to airport as protesters block building during Thanksgiving rush
Suspected gunman in DC National Guard shooting identified as Afghan national
Breaking: National Guard Shooter Is Afghan National, Potential Terrorist – FBI
FAA investigating Amazon after drone cuts internet cable
Update: National Guard Troops Shot in DC Were Ambushed, Shot at Point-Blank Range
‘We Will Never Back Down’: Trump, Hegseth Refuse to Yield After National Guardsmen Shot, Sending 500 More Troops to DC
Bipartisan support, outrage pour in after ‘targeted’ DC shooting of National Guardsmen: ‘Horrific’
‘You Are Beyond Sick’: MS NOW Journalist Suggests ICE Arrests to Blame for National Guard Shootings
“People who disagree with me are not scum,” Nadler told reporters Friday. “It’s more than just settling scores. This is a subversion of justice.”
The House voted to impeach Trump in December. On Wednesday, after a weeks-long trial, the Senate voted to acquit the president on both charges against him—abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
During Vindman’s testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, he drew applause after expressing his love for America, when asked how he overcame his fear of being retaliated against.
“Congressman, because this is America. This is the country I have served and defended, that all of my brothers have served. And here, right matters,” Vindman said. “I knew I was assuming a lot of risks. [My father] deeply worried about [my testimony]. Because in his context, it was the ultimate risk.”
Story cited here.
