On Friday, February 7, Donald Trump fired a key impeachment witness and top expert on Ukraine at the National Security Council Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, his twin brother Yevgeny, an NSC attorney, and EU ambassador Gordon Sondland – all less than 48 hours after the president’s Senate acquittal.
Lt. Col. Vindman – who received the Purple Heart after being wounded in Iraq – planned to leave his assignment early, likely by the end of the month. On Friday, however, he was told his services were no longer needed and was escorted out of the White House in what appeared to be a public retaliation for impeachment testimonies.
Vindman, who came from a family of Ukrainian immigrants, was the first White House aide to testify after being on the scandalous July 25 phone call between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump. He was subpoenaed by Congress.
Donald Trump, in turn, explained his decision via a series of Saturday morning tweets. “Fake News @CNN & MSDNC keep talking about “Lt. Col.” Vindman as though I should think only how wonderful he was. Actually, I don’t know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I don’t believe!) but, he was very insubordinate, reported contents of my “perfect” calls incorrectly, & was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information. In other words, “OUT”,” Trump posted on Twitter.
David Pressman, Lt. Col. Vindman’s lawyer, has later stated, "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."
Alexander Vindman’s twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, a National Security Council attorney who never commented on the “Ukrainegate” scandal, was fired as well. According to Pressman, the ouster came "suddenly and with no explanation, despite over two decades of loyal service to this country”.
Mere hours after news of the Vindmands’ dismissal broke, Ambassador Sondland issued a statement on being recalled from his post.
"I was advised today that the President intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union," Sondland said. "I am grateful to President Trump for having given me the opportunity to serve, to Secretary Pompeo for his consistent support, and to the exceptional and dedicated professionals at the U.S. Mission to the European Union. I am proud of our accomplishments. Our work here has been the highlight of my career."