Trump defends firing of key impeachment witness Vindman

President Donald Trump on Saturday defended the firing of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from the National Security Council.

The President complained about news coverage of the firing in a tweet, saying reporting was done “as though I should think only how wonderful he was. Actually, I don’t know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I don’t believe!).”

On Friday, Trump fired two key impeachment witnesses, dismissing Vindman, the top Ukraine expert at the council, and US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland. An adviser to Trump told CNN the firings of the major impeachment witnesses was meant to send a message that siding against the President will not be tolerated.

Trump on Saturday claimed that Vindman “reported contents of my ‘perfect’ calls incorrectly,” which those close to Vindman have disputed. Vindman reported concerns about Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to other officials with the National Security Council.

The President also attacked Vindman’s work performance, claiming he was given a “horrendous” report by his superior that he had problems with judgment and leaking information. Tim Morrison, Vindman’s boss at the time and a former top Russia and Europe adviser on the National Security Council, did question Vindman’s judgment during congressional testimony in November. He testified he had been warned about Vindman’s judgment when he took over the position and claimed Vindman did not keep him in the loop.

Vindman defended himself during his testimony saying he reported his concerns about the July 25 phone call as he was directed to do. Also he brought with him a review from his former boss, then-White House Russia adviser Fiona Hill, who praised his performance, to rebut the issue Morrison raised.

Morrison had testified it was Hill in addition to others who warned him about Vindman’s judgment.

When she testified as part of the impeachment inquiry two days after Morrison’s testimony, Hill clarified the conversation she had with Morrison about Vindman. Hill said that she was aiming to convey a specific concern about Vindman transitioning to a more political role and not meaning to raise a general concern about his overall judgment.

“I was concerned that if, for example, Colonel Vindman might decide to leave the military, that perhaps he wasn’t as well suited for something that would be much more political,” Hill testified. “I did not feel that he had the political antenna to deal with something that was straying into domestic politics. Not everyone is suited for that. That does not mean in any way that I was questioning his overall judgment, nor was I questioning in any way his substantive expertise.”

Vindman’s attorney criticized Saturday’s tweets from Trump, saying the comments are “obviously false.”

“The President this morning made a series of obviously false statements concerning Lieutenant Colonel Vindman; they conflict with the clear personnel record and the entirety of the impeachment record of which the President is well aware. While the most powerful man in the world continues his campaign of intimidation, while too many entrusted with political office continue to remain silent, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman continues his service to our country as a decorated, active duty member of our military,” attorney David Pressman said in a statement to CNN.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer weighed in on the President’s Saturday tweets about Vindman, posting on Twitter, “Has any ‘President’ ever been more disrespectful to U.S. service members?”

Vindman’s departure

Vindman, a decorated veteran who was born in Ukraine, was escorted out of the White House by security and told his services were no longer needed, according to Pressman.

Pressman said in a statement that it is clear his client was fired for testifying in the impeachment probe.

“There is no question in the mind of any American why this man’s job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House,” Pressman said. “LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth. His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful.”

He added, “Truth is not partisan. If we allow truthful voices to be silenced, if we ignore their warnings, eventually there will be no one left to warn us.”

Alexander Vindman’s twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, a National Security Council attorney, was also fired, “suddenly and with no explanation, despite over two decades of loyal service to this country,” Pressman said. He was walked off the White House grounds alongside his brother.

Yevgeny Vindman had never testified or spoke publicly about the Ukraine saga. “He deeply regrets that he will not be able to continue his service at the White House,” Pressman said in a statement.