Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine specialist on the National Security Council, addressed his father during the opening statement of his public impeachment testimony.
“Our collective military service is a special part of our family’s history,” Vindman said before the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, referencing his family’s service in the U.S. military and mentioning that his brother was present for the hearing.
“I also recognize that my simple act of appearing here today, just like the courage of my colleagues who have also truthfully testified before this committee, would not be tolerated in many places around the world,” he continued. “In Russia, my act of expressing concern to the chain of command in an official and private channel would have severe personal and professional repercussions, and offering public testimony involving the president would surely cost me my life.”
Vindman then turned his remarks back to his family, saying, “I’m grateful to my father for his brave act of hope 40 years ago and for the privilege of being an American citizen and public servant where I can live free of fear for mine and my family’s safety. Dad, I’m sitting here today in the U.S. Capitol talking to our elected professionals. Talking to our elected professionals is proof that you made the right decision to leave the Soviet Union and come here to the United States of America in search of a better life for our family. Do not worry. I will be fine for telling the truth.”
Vindman was invited by House Democrats to testify publicly after providing a closed-door deposition last month. At the time, he repeatedly testified that he “thought it was wrong” for President Trump to bring up the 2016 election and allege Ukraine-related corruption by former Vice President Joe Biden and his son during Trump’s July 25 phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.
The Army officer, whose family fled from Ukraine as Jewish refugees when he was 3 years old, has faced allegations of being a Ukrainian agent from some conservative-leaning pundits. In response, he affirmed his loyalty to the United States during his closed testimony, saying, “I am a patriot.”
Vindman testified that he sounded the alarm over his concerns about Trump’s treatment of Ukraine twice and has been linked to the whistleblower whose complaint prompted the impeachment proceedings. He still works with the whistleblower on U.S.-Ukraine policy and may have liaised with the anonymous person over Trump’s call with Zelensky before the complaint was filed.
House lawmakers are investigating allegations that Trump improperly pressured Ukraine to investigate the Bidens as well as debunked allegations that the country interfered in the 2016 presidential election. They are also attempting to determine whether the president conditioned military aid to the country or state meetings on an announcement of the investigations.
In addition to Vindman, Jennifer Williams, a foreign service aide detailed to Vice President Mike Pence’s office; Kurt Volker, the former special envoy to Ukraine; and Tim Morrison, a former NSC aide, are also set to participate in public impeachment hearings on Tuesday.
