Vindman, who provided key impeachment testimony, 'escorted' from White House, attorney says

[left-of-center2012]

Source: NBC News

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council who testified during the House impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, was escorted from the White House Friday afternoon, his lawyer said.

"LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth," his attorney David Pressman said in a statement. "The truth has cost LTC Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy."

Pressman added that, "the most powerful man in the world - buoyed by the silent, the pliable, and the complicit" had "decided to exact revenge" on Vindman.

Vindman had, as part of his duties, listened in on the July 25 call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy, which was at the heart of the impeachment inquiry.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/vindman-who-provided-key-impeachment-testimony-escorted-white-house-attorney-n1132526

[IcyPeas]

1. they escorted the wrong person out of the white house

[sakabatou]

15. Yep

[handmade34]

2. I so wish

we could storm the White House...

[2naSalit]

5. I'm beginning to think that

we may have to.

[wnylib]

7. We could. But it would fail and we'd be dead.

[handmade34]

20. there has to be

some sacrifice for the cause... it can no longer be the 'Resistance' no more passiveness... outright rebellion is needed (oh boy, there goes my non-violent nature)

[wnylib]

21. As for some sacrifice being necessary,

it is pointless if it accomplishes nothing but the death of the one(s) doing the storming.

But I understand the frustration. Try thinking pleasant thoughts, e.g. his declining health and the celebration when it does him in. Can't be too much longer.

[ancianita]

3. Vindman gets The People's Medal of Freedom.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. From NPR:

POLITICS

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman 'Escorted Out Of The White House,' His Lawyer Says

February 7, 20203:58 PM ET
ROBERTA RAMPTON

@robertarampton

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the Ukraine expert at the National Security Council who became a star witness in the House impeachment hearings on President Trump's dealings with Ukraine, was escorted out of the White House on Friday, his lawyer said, adding Trump had "decided to exact revenge."

"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. LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth," David Pressman of Boies Schiller Flexner LLP said in a statement.

"The truth has cost LTC Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy. He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day: he followed orders, he obeyed his oath, and he served his country, even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril. And for that, the most powerful man in the world - buoyed by the silent, the pliable, and the complicit - has decided to exact revenge," Pressman said.

The White House and National Security Council were not immediately available for comment.

Earlier on Friday, Trump was asked by a reporter whether Vindman would be leaving. "I'm not happy with him. You think I'm supposed to be happy with him? I'm not. They'll make that decision. You'll be hearing," Trump said.

Here's the full statement from Alexander Vindman's lawyer David Pressman:

{snip}

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. Was Melania the escort? I hear she has experience at that. NT

[wnylib]

8. And the vengeance roll on. More to come for sure.

[ffr]

9. The optics of an American hero escorted from the White House - rePuticans!

So who is left in the White House who are still Americans and not traitors?

[Bayard]

10. trump is a petty, malignant, sociopathic little asshole

He does this to a true patriot, like Colonel Vindman, while giving the Medal of Freedom to Karma-Caught-Up-With-You Limbaugh.



My pregnant niece is with her Army Ranger husband stationed in Germany. They are planning on moving back to the states end of summer before the baby is born. I told her today--you may want to wait until the election is over.

[Hugin]

11. Obviously, the act of an innocent man.

Obviously.

[spiderpig]

12. I am so tired of being disgusted.

And Vindman's brother too?

What is this damned country coming to?

[Hangingon]

13. Is his brother still there?

[wishstar]

17. They were both removed from WH posts and escorted out together

[Hangingon]

25. Thanks!

[Judi Lynn]

28. The person who chose to throw them away should be removed, instead. Unbelievable. n/t

[yellowcanine]

14. Has Susan Collins weighed in with her concern yet?

[riversedge]

16. maybe just 'disappointed'.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

29. Yes, she is very concerned.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2430304

I think DU is generally unimpressed by her concern.

[BlueIdaho]

18. "You can't quit - You're Fired!

I’m sorry to see the shit stain in the White House decided to foul an honorable man, but the Lt. Col. was leaving at the end of February anyway.

We all hold a debt of gratitude to Lt. Col. Vindman and other brave souls for telling truth to power. Now it’s our job to finish what they started. End Trump’s Tyrany!

[elleng]

19. buoyed by the silent, the pliable, and the complicit

[mahatmakanejeeves]

22. Remember that the President's actions are about both punishment and deterrence.

Kevin M. Kruse Retweeted

While we ask ourselves what kind of person - let alone what kind of President - feels the need to try to publicly humiliate a decorated a war hero, remember that the President's actions are about both punishment and deterrence.

Link to tweet

Vindman’s lawyer tells me his twin brother Yevgeny has been fired from NSC, too, and was also escorted from the White House.

Link to tweet

[bluestarone]

23. What's happening is UNHEARD-OF in my mind

Total dictatorship happening before our eyes! Sends clear message to future whistle blowers right? WOW just WOW! Not sure if he has any legal options but i sure hope he does! TY Col. Vindman!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

24. Trump wants an NSC full of yes men

What could go wrong?

[Aussie105]

26. America, home of the cults . . .

has bred a whopper this time!

Jonestown, Branch Davidian, the Manson family have nothing on Cult Trump.

What does it take to be in Cult Trump?

1. Total trust in the leader. He can do no wrong, and his every word must be believed instantly and fully.

2. Major distrust, disgust and denigration of your enemies must be engaged in at every opportunity.
Speak it openly, to prove you are a good cult member.

3. The individual member is less important than the whole cult.

4. The enemies outside mean you harm. Get them before they get you! Buy guns, ammo, food, water, for surely the Ultimate Battle will come, and Rapture awaits the faithful!

5. Any breach of the rules will see you evicted. Some of the rules are not obvious, but you will know if you break any. Only the cult leader knows all the rules. He may add new ones, or modify existing ones, as he sees fit.

How did America come to be like this? People trained at a young age to follow authority and avoid independent thinking?

Or it might just be something in the water, or drugs . . . . or something.