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Lieutenant Colonel Vindman escorted out of White House

(20 Posts)
rosecarmel Fri 07-Feb-20 21:59:43

A key impeachment witness Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was escorted out of the White House-

From NPR:

"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.""

Here is the statement his lawyer released:

"Today, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his President. He does so having spoken publicly once, and only pursuant to a subpoena from the United States Congress.

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. His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful.

During his decades of service to this country, LTC Alexander Vindman has served quietly but dutifully, and he has served with honor. He came into the public eye only when subpoenaed to testify before Congress, and he did what the law demanded.In recent months, many entrusted with power in our political system have cowered out of fear. And, yet, a handful of men and women, not endowed with prestige or power, but equipped only with a sense of right borne out of years of quiet service to their country made different choices.

They courageously chose to honor their duty with integrity, to trust the truth, and to put their faith in country ahead of fear. And they have paid a price.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.

LTC Alexander Vindman leaves the White House today. But we must not accept the departure of truth, duty, and loyalty that he represents. In this country right matters, and so does truth. 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. "

Jane10 Fri 07-Feb-20 22:24:56

What will it take? God bless America? No! God help America! Help Americans come to their senses and get rid of Trump, this blight of a man.

vampirequeen Sat 08-Feb-20 00:01:00

The orange toddler was bound to have vindictive tantrum.

rosecarmel Sat 08-Feb-20 00:30:23

Alexander's twin brother, who worked on the National Security Council, was also dismissed -

M0nica Sat 08-Feb-20 09:15:48

What did anyone expect?

I think he would have known what the results of his action would be and all honour to him that he put his country before this pin-brained tawdry president.

I doubt that this sacking will do his career any harm.

The depressing thing is that we have our own mini Trumpette in this country, beginning to follow the same trajectory. After he sacked Claire O'Neill as head of this year's key climate change summit, she commented My advice to anybody to whom Boris is making promises - whether it is voters, world leaders, ministers, employees, or indeed family members - is to get it in writing, get a lawyer to look at it and make sure the money's in the bank,

gmarie Sat 08-Feb-20 09:51:48

SOOOO tired of this terrible man and horrific president. I truly feel like we're living in a world turned upside-down. All politics aside, Trump doesn't have an authentic bone in his body. He's duped the conservatives who can't (or won't) see that his decisions and actions ALL stem from narcissism. He cares only about himself and his presidency is all about ego. How and when did we get to the point that the likes of Rush Limbaugh could be given the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Lieutenant Colonel Vindman, a Purple Heart recipient, is driven out for doing his duty and telling the truth? It literally makes me feel sick. angry angry angry

Davidhs Sat 08-Feb-20 09:58:23

The most recent of a long list of ex Trump associates, you either back the boss or youre out, there were plenty in the Brexit debacle, it the same everywhere. Who ever pays the piper calls the tune, if you don’t like it get out of politics.

MaizieD Sat 08-Feb-20 13:06:36

The interesting thing about government, David is that we pay the piper...

Davidhs Sat 08-Feb-20 14:07:40

We pay but we don’t hold the purse strings or the favours!.

Urmstongran Sat 08-Feb-20 14:58:52

What did he expect? Not a surprise surely as the impeachment failed.

rosecarmel Sat 08-Feb-20 15:43:14

Certainly repercussions were considered prior to testimony, during and after- None of which altered his decision to present the truth-

But another problem, perhaps equally as problematic as Trump's persona, is a rising candidate from the left that's using Trump type tactics on apathetic Americans- If it sounds familiar, it's because it's straight out of Trumps play book- He all but dismissed the efforts of his running mates and the collection of representatives devoted to holding this President accountable for his actions-

rosecarmel Sat 08-Feb-20 15:52:20

Urnstomgran, Donald Trump was impeached December 18th 2019- Impeachment didn't fail- smile

Juliet27 Sat 08-Feb-20 16:01:43

As heard on a radio programme today - ‘the only thing to take Trump down now is - cholesterol’

Dinahmo Sat 08-Feb-20 17:13:07

Possibly Alzheimer's too - he's showing some signs.

DoraMarr Sat 08-Feb-20 17:46:45

davidhs “if you don’t like it get gout of politics.” Thank goodness some men and women are brave enough to stand up for the truth, and to stand up to liars.

Urmstongran Sat 08-Feb-20 18:25:37

Mr Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives in December for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, but was acquitted on Wednesday after a two-week trial in the Republican-controlled Senate.

(from the BBC website)

Davidhs Sat 08-Feb-20 20:12:55

Doramarr.
Believe me if you don’t toe the party line you are OUT, even at local council level. A good friend of mine was keen on serving the local community, she served 2 terms, fell out with the local Tory agent and got deselected.

rosecarmel Sat 08-Feb-20 20:29:14

Urmstongran, please notice that I spelled your name correctly this time- smile

He was impeached and remains impeached- The trial conducted after an impeachment is a separate legal action-
He's was acquitted of the charges brought against him at trial and as a result not removed from office- But the impeachment still stands, making him the 3rd President in U.S. history to be impeached-

Urmstongran Sat 08-Feb-20 21:02:49

Ah.
I understand now rosecarmel. Thank you for explaining it to me.
?

NotTooOld Sat 08-Feb-20 21:43:51

'The orange toddler'

I like it!