A key witness in the impeachment investigation of President Trump is retiring from the U.S. Army after more than two decades of service, citing political retaliation by Trump and his allies.
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman endured a “campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation” after his impeachment testimony, and his future in the military “will forever be limited,” his lawyer David Pressman said in a statement Wednesday.
Earlier this year, Vindman was removed as the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council. The White House simultaneously ousted his twin brother, who was a lawyer for the National Security Council.
The White House has since allegedly sought to block Vindman’s upcoming military promotion to the rank of colonel.
“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.
“These are choices that no one in the United States should confront, especially one who has dedicated his life to serving it,” he said, adding that Vindman “did what the law compelled him to do; and for that he was bullied by the president and his proxies.”
Vindman opted to retire instead of moving to his next assignment at the National War College after senior Army officials communicated that “there were forces working against his advancement within the military,” according to CNN.
“Today I officially requested retirement from the US Army, an organization I love. My family and I look forward to the next chapter of our lives,” said a tweet from a new Twitter account that appeared to belong to Vindman. It also featured a photo of him using a laptop.
Today I officially requested retirement from the US Army, an organization I love. My family and I look forward to the next chapter of our lives. pic.twitter.com/h2D9MRUHY2
— Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) July 8, 2020
A source familiar with Vindman’s decision told the outlet that he was informed by senior Army officials that he was no longer deployable in his area of expertise. A senior officer joked about sending him to “man a radar station in Alaska,” the source said.
Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois vowed last week to block the Senate confirmation of 1,123 military promotions until she was promised that Vindman’s promotion would not be blocked.
