And now the character assassination begins. Even as he was arriving at the capitol to testify, Lt. Col. Alex Vindman’s character was being questioned by none other than the President of the United States. Vindman, a National Security Council expert on Ukraine, heard the call between Donald Trump and President Zelensky. He thought it was improper and reported it.
Vindman’s opening statement, first reported Monday night by The York Times, has sent Donald Trump into a tweeting fit, the president sending out more than 30 tweets on Tuesday morning. In one of the tweets, Trump called Col. Vindman a “never Trumper.”
The transcript actually corroborates Vindman’s testimony. Meanwhile on Fox, there were accusations Vindman was a double agent. From Vox:
On Monday’s edition of Fox News’ Ingraham Angle, host Laura Ingraham and former George W. Bush-era Deputy Assistant US Attorney General John Yoo teamed up to demean Vindman as some sort of Ukrainian double agent, citing the fact he was born there before moving to the US as a child.
“Some people might call that espionage,” Yoo said, referring to the fact that Vindman reportedly advised Ukrainian officials on how to deal with Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who earlier this year was the White House’s unofficial point person for Ukraine policy.”
Hail Mary, anyone? The right has been roundly trashed for going after Vindman.
Perhaps Col Vindman was anticipating the character assassination. In his opening statement he says:
“I am a patriot, and it is my sacred duty and honor to advance and defend our country irrespective of party or politics.”
The White House reportedly tried to block or limit Col. Vindman’s testimony. New polling shows Americans think the White House should stop stonewalling.
This post contains analysis and opinion.