Trump publicly admits he fired White House official as retaliation for impeachment testimony

Authored by independent.co.uk and submitted by ihategelatine

Donald Trump has appeared to admit he fired a senior White House official in part for the aide’s involvement in the impeachment inquiry.

Lt Col Alexander Vindman, a Russia and Ukraine expert on the National Security Council (NSC), was escorted from the White House on Friday after the US president ordered his removal.

He had given evidence to House committee hearings which led to Mr Trump being impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress relating to a campaign by the president to pressure Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden, a political rival.

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“Fake News @CNN & MSDNC keep talking about ‘Lt. Col.’ Vindman as though I should think only how wonderful he was,” the US president tweeted on Saturday morning.

“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’.”

Shape Created with Sketch. Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves Show all 29 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Donald Trump celebrity president: A decade in two halves 1/29 Trump styles his 'You're fired!' pose in his Trump Tower office in June 2012. At the time he was known as a reality TV star on The Apprentice Diane Bondareff/Invision/AP 2/29 He was also well known as the patron of the Miss Universe competition Getty 3/29 Early signs of Trump's ambition for the presidency can be found everywhere. Not least in his 2011 book 'Time to get tough: Making America #1 again' Getty 4/29 Trump with Piers Morgan in November 2010. Piers Morgan has long held that he and Trump are good friends Getty 5/29 Trump appeared on Fox & Friends, his favourite show, in August 2011 Getty 6/29 Trump considered running in the 2012 election, where he would have faced Barack Obama. He is speaking here at an event for a Republican women's group Getty 7/29 Trump was subject to a Comedy Central roast in 2011. He is pictured here being roasted by rapper Snoop Dogg Getty 8/29 Given that this Trump store is in the lobby of Trump Tower, it can be said that Trump sells merchandise of himself out of his own home Getty 9/29 Trump held meetings with prominent Republicans when considering his 2012 bid. He is pictured here with Alaska governor Sarah Palin Getty 10/29 He didn't end up running in 2012 afterall, instead endorsing Republican candidate Mitt Romney AFP/Getty 11/29 Trump's golf course in Aberdeen proved controversial in 2012 when he began lobbying the Scottish government against wind power in order that they wouldn't install turbines off the shore by his new course Getty 12/29 He even gave evidence to a Scottish parliamentary committee discouraging wind energy AFP/Getty 13/29 He still found time for a round of course AFP/Getty 14/29 On 16 June 2015, Trump announced that he would run for the presidency of the United States in the 2016 election as a Republican Getty 15/29 His campaign was divisive, courting controversy wherever he went. Ultimately he was declared the Republican candidate in June 2016 Getty 16/29 Trump took part in the TV debate against opponent Hillary Clinton on 9 October Getty 17/29 Trump and wife Melania vote in the presidential election on 8 November 2016 AFP/Getty 18/29 Hillary Clinton conceded defeat at 2:50am on 9 November and president-elect Trump swiftly delivered his victory speech to a crowd of supporters Getty 19/29 News coverage around the world focused on the huge political upset that Trump's victory spelled AFP/Getty 20/29 Trump met with president Obama to discusss transition planning on 10 November. Obama had fiercely denounced Trump during the election campaign, at one point even swearing that he would not leave the White House if Trump won AFP/Getty 21/29 Donald Trump and Nigel Farage pose in the golden elevator at Trump Tower on 12 November 2016. Farage was the first British politician to meet with Trump after the election LeaveEUOffical/Twitter 22/29 The inauguration of Donald Trump took place on 20 January 2017. Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer boasted that the crowd was the 'largest ever' to witness an inauguration, a claim that was proved not to be true Getty 23/29 In his first 100 days as leader, Trump signed 24 executve orders, the most of any president AFP/Getty 24/29 One of Trump's most memorable election pledges was to build a wall between the US and Mexico. He is standing here in front of a prototype for a section of the wall Getty 25/29 Trump's meetings with other world leaders have provided no short supply of photo opportunities Getty 26/29 Trump was welcomed to the UK by the Queen and a state banquet was held at Buckingham Palace in his honour Reuters 27/29 Not everyone welcomed the president. Mass protests were held in London throughout his visits in both 2018 and 2019 EPA 28/29 One of the most significant meetings Trump has held with another leader was with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. In June 2019, Trump became the first sitting president to set foot in North Korea Getty 29/29 2020 will see president Trump fight for a second term in office, who knows what the next decade will bring? Getty 1/29 Trump styles his 'You're fired!' pose in his Trump Tower office in June 2012. At the time he was known as a reality TV star on The Apprentice Diane Bondareff/Invision/AP 2/29 He was also well known as the patron of the Miss Universe competition Getty 3/29 Early signs of Trump's ambition for the presidency can be found everywhere. Not least in his 2011 book 'Time to get tough: Making America #1 again' Getty 4/29 Trump with Piers Morgan in November 2010. Piers Morgan has long held that he and Trump are good friends Getty 5/29 Trump appeared on Fox & Friends, his favourite show, in August 2011 Getty 6/29 Trump considered running in the 2012 election, where he would have faced Barack Obama. He is speaking here at an event for a Republican women's group Getty 7/29 Trump was subject to a Comedy Central roast in 2011. He is pictured here being roasted by rapper Snoop Dogg Getty 8/29 Given that this Trump store is in the lobby of Trump Tower, it can be said that Trump sells merchandise of himself out of his own home Getty 9/29 Trump held meetings with prominent Republicans when considering his 2012 bid. He is pictured here with Alaska governor Sarah Palin Getty 10/29 He didn't end up running in 2012 afterall, instead endorsing Republican candidate Mitt Romney AFP/Getty 11/29 Trump's golf course in Aberdeen proved controversial in 2012 when he began lobbying the Scottish government against wind power in order that they wouldn't install turbines off the shore by his new course Getty 12/29 He even gave evidence to a Scottish parliamentary committee discouraging wind energy AFP/Getty 13/29 He still found time for a round of course AFP/Getty 14/29 On 16 June 2015, Trump announced that he would run for the presidency of the United States in the 2016 election as a Republican Getty 15/29 His campaign was divisive, courting controversy wherever he went. Ultimately he was declared the Republican candidate in June 2016 Getty 16/29 Trump took part in the TV debate against opponent Hillary Clinton on 9 October Getty 17/29 Trump and wife Melania vote in the presidential election on 8 November 2016 AFP/Getty 18/29 Hillary Clinton conceded defeat at 2:50am on 9 November and president-elect Trump swiftly delivered his victory speech to a crowd of supporters Getty 19/29 News coverage around the world focused on the huge political upset that Trump's victory spelled AFP/Getty 20/29 Trump met with president Obama to discusss transition planning on 10 November. Obama had fiercely denounced Trump during the election campaign, at one point even swearing that he would not leave the White House if Trump won AFP/Getty 21/29 Donald Trump and Nigel Farage pose in the golden elevator at Trump Tower on 12 November 2016. Farage was the first British politician to meet with Trump after the election LeaveEUOffical/Twitter 22/29 The inauguration of Donald Trump took place on 20 January 2017. Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer boasted that the crowd was the 'largest ever' to witness an inauguration, a claim that was proved not to be true Getty 23/29 In his first 100 days as leader, Trump signed 24 executve orders, the most of any president AFP/Getty 24/29 One of Trump's most memorable election pledges was to build a wall between the US and Mexico. He is standing here in front of a prototype for a section of the wall Getty 25/29 Trump's meetings with other world leaders have provided no short supply of photo opportunities Getty 26/29 Trump was welcomed to the UK by the Queen and a state banquet was held at Buckingham Palace in his honour Reuters 27/29 Not everyone welcomed the president. Mass protests were held in London throughout his visits in both 2018 and 2019 EPA 28/29 One of the most significant meetings Trump has held with another leader was with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. In June 2019, Trump became the first sitting president to set foot in North Korea Getty 29/29 2020 will see president Trump fight for a second term in office, who knows what the next decade will bring? Getty

Mr Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, had earlier appeared to suggest Lt Col Vindman and Gordon Sondland, who was recalled as US ambassador to the European Union, were sacked for their testimony in the inquiry.

Mr Trump was acquitted this week by Republican allies in the Senate, even though some admitted they did not dispute the allegations against him.

Amid speculation that Lt Col Vindman was likely to be fired, the president on Friday said he was unhappy with him but appeared to suggest the decision would be made by someone else, saying: “Well, I’m not happy with him. You think I’m supposed to be happy with him? I’m not. They’ll make that decision.”

He did not specify who “they” referred to but his comments came against a background of suggestions that the NSC, which is thought to have about 180 staff, could be reduced in size.

Lt Col Vindman’s twin brother, Yevgeny Vindman, was also fired from his position as a lawyer with the NSC, although he had no involvement in the impeachment process.

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Both are expected to return to the Department of Defence.

Lt Col Vindman’s attorney, David Pressman, said in a statement: “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.

“Lt Col Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth. His honour, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful.”

The decorated Iraq veteran had listened in to a 25 July call between Mr Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in which the US president pressed his Ukrainian counterpart to launch investigations into his Democratic political rivals.

Lt Col Vindman testified that he was unsettled by the call. In an emotional statement at the end of his testimony he thanked his late father for bringing him and his family to America from the former Soviet Union, saying: “Do not worry. I will be fine for telling the truth.” At another point, he said: “Here, right matters.”

Mr Sondland had been involved in efforts in Ukraine to press officials to investigate Mr Trump’s political opponents. He told the impeachment hearings there had been a “quid pro quo”, involving the withholding of US military aid until Ukraine announced the investigations the presidents wanted.

He also claimed other top figures were “in the loop”, including vice-president Mike Pence, secretary of state Mike Pompeo and chief of staff Mick Mulvaney

Some of the other witnesses who gave evidence have already left their jobs, including former US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who was recalled in May after apparently getting in the way of efforts to pressure officials in Kiev to investigate Mr Trump’s rivals. In the 25 July phone call he appeared to threaten her, saying: “Well, she’s going to go through some things.”

Ms Yovanovitch retired last month. Her replacement, William Taylor, vice-presidential aide Jennifer Williams and NSC official Tim Morrison – all of whom also gave evidence – have also left their posts.

There is speculation that there may be more firings in the wake of Mr Trump’s Senate acquittal.

One name in the frame is Mr Mulvaney who did not testify, despite demands from the House of Representatives that he do so. However, he did admit at a White House press briefing that Mr Trump had withheld US military aid to Ukraine at least in part to pressure Kiev to investigate conspiracy theories about the Democratic Party, saying: “I have news for everybody: Get over it. There’s going to be political influence in foreign policy.”

Despite Mr Trump’s assertion that his job is safe for the time being, there are suggestions he will be replaced by Mark Meadows, a Trump loyalist currently serving as a Republican congressman for North Carolina.

The Washington Post reports that the president has discussed firing Michael Atkinson, the intelligence community’s inspector general, who passed on a complaint from a whistleblower about the 25 July phone call to Congress.

The paper says another possible target is Victoria Coates, a deputy national security adviser. Last week the literary agents for an anonymous government official behind the book A Warning – which claims to come from a Trump insider who describes themselves as part of the “resistance” to the president – denied that Dr Coates was the secret author.

At_least_im_Bacon on February 8th, 2020 at 17:34 UTC »

18 U.S. Code § 1513. Retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant

Subsection (e):

(e) Whoever knowingly, with the intent to retaliate, takes any action harmful to any person, including interference with the lawful employment or livelihood of any person, for providing to a law enforcement officer any truthful information relating to the commission or possible commission of any Federal offense, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both

kevcme1 on February 8th, 2020 at 16:38 UTC »

This man literally does not give a fuck because he knows he’s untouchable.

clone822 on February 8th, 2020 at 16:19 UTC »

See this was Nixon's mistake. All you have to do is get acquitted and then you start firing people.