The star of Friday’s Democratic primary debate? Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council official who testified against President Trump during the House’s impeachment proceedings.
Vindman was transferred from the NSC back to the Pentagon on Friday, a decision that has been perceived as retributive by many, including many of the Democratic presidential candidates on the debate stage. Amy Klobuchar hailed Vindman as a “courageous” hero, and former Vice President Joe Biden claimed that Vindman should have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom instead of conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh. He then prodded the audience to give a standing ovation to show support for Vindman.
Say what you will about Trump’s decision to dismiss Vindman — I happen to agree with those who say it was premature and petulant — but let’s not pretend Vindman is worse off for being dismissed. He still has a prominent position in the Pentagon, and he’s now widely praised among Democratic politicians.
Vindman believed he was fulfilling his duty by testifying against Trump, but, in doing so, he deliberately entered the political realm and made himself a partisan figure. He knew that removal from the NSC would be an imminent consequence. He even informed officials he would step down before he was forced out.
Trump should have bided his time and waited until Vindman requested reassignment. But he didn’t, and, now, Vindman is a Democratic martyr.
But the Democrats are wrong: Vindman willingly pitted himself against the president during a blatantly partisan conflict knowing full well what the consequences would be. I respect Vindman’s decision and his service to this country, but let’s refrain from making him something he’s not.
