Vindman retires, citing campaign of ‘bullying’ by Trump
WASHINGTON » An Army officer who played a highprofile role in President Donald Trump’s impeachment proceedings is retiring from the military over alleged “bullying” and “retaliation” by the president, his lawyer said Wednesday.
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who served as a national security aide at the White House until earlier this year and was up for promotion to colonel, will leave the military instead, his attorney, David Pressman, said in a statement.
“Through a campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation, the president of the United States attempted to force LTC Vindman to choose: Between adhering to the law or pleasing a President. Between honoring his oath or protecting his career. Between protecting his promotion or the promotion of his fellow soldiers,” Pressman said. “LTC Vindman’s patriotism has cost him his career.”
Vindman’s decision to retire was first reported by CNN.
Vindman, who was the National Security Council’s Ukraine expert, testified under subpoena last fall about his concerns surrounding a call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In that call, Vindman told House investigators, the president appeared to link military aid to Ukrainian moves to open an investigation into former vice president Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. The Washington Post last month reported that government officials have been concerned that the White House would try to prevent the promotion of Vindman, who along with hundreds of other officers had been selected by the Army to be elevated to become a full colonel.
While the White House had not taken any action to strike his name, officials have said that Trump strongly disliked Vindman and might move to block him.
A senior defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel decisions, said that Defense Secretary Mark Esper had officially signed off on the list of officers slated to be promoted to colonel, with Vindman’s name on it, on Monday, and that it was expected to be relayed to the White House by the end of the week. The White House would then be responsible for reviewing the list and transmitting it to the Senate for approval.
The official declined to say whether the White House had communicated its intentions surrounding Vindman’s potential promotion.