Rachel Vindman complained on Monday that her husband, impeachment witness Alexander Vindman, had not been added to the list of now-former President Joe Biden&#8217;s extensive list of eleventh-hour pardons on his way out of the White House.
Following the news that Biden had pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and nearly everyone involved with the January 6 Select Committee — including former Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) — Vindman took to Meta&#8217;s Threads to make her disappointment known.
&#8220;<span class="x1lliihq x1plvlek xryxfnj x1n2onr6 x1ji0vk5 x18bv5gf x193iq5w xeuugli x1fj9vlw x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x1i0vuye xjohtrz xo1l8bm xp07o12 x1yc453h xat24cr xdj266r" dir="auto">BREAKING: President Biden just pardoned:<span class="x1lliihq x1plvlek xryxfnj x1n2onr6 x1ji0vk5 x18bv5gf x193iq5w xeuugli x1fj9vlw x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x1i0vuye xjohtrz xo1l8bm xp07o12 x1yc453h xat24cr x1anpbxc" dir="auto">* General Mark Milley * Dr. Anthony Fauci * Jan. 6 Committee members of Congress and staffers * The police officers who testified before the Jan. 6 Committee,&#8221; journalist Kyle Griffin posted via Threads. &#8220;<span class="x1lliihq x1plvlek xryxfnj x1n2onr6 x1ji0vk5 x18bv5gf x193iq5w xeuugli x1fj9vlw x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x1i0vuye xjohtrz xo1l8bm xp07o12 x1yc453h xat24cr x1anpbxc" dir="auto">Biden says these pardons are not an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.&#8221;
Vindman <a href="https://www.threads.net/@rachelvindman/post/DFDCySGp6Hm?xmt=AQGzyMUZDJ_z2At5Fmrxs_4WKZRm-99Mx96bDDpa4wDajvk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responded</a>, &#8220;Breaking: my husband is on a list of enemies and they talk about him all the time but he wasn’t offered sh**.&#8221;
Vindman shared another similar post, saying: &#8220;<span class="x1lliihq x1plvlek xryxfnj x1n2onr6 x1ji0vk5 x18bv5gf x193iq5w xeuugli x1fj9vlw x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x1i0vuye xjohtrz xo1l8bm xp07o12 x1yc453h xat24cr xdj266r" dir="auto">Whatever happens to my family, know this: No pardons were offered or discussed. <span class="x1lliihq x1plvlek xryxfnj x1n2onr6 x1ji0vk5 x18bv5gf x193iq5w xeuugli x1fj9vlw x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x x1i0vuye xjohtrz xo1l8bm xp07o12 x1yc453h xat24cr x1anpbxc" dir="auto">I cannot begin to describe the level of betrayal and hurt I feel.&#8221;
<a href="https://store.dailywire.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqndn5W5hXuxOh4Dnzj3NrHSVayyLGsEShWj2n2EVNnohFOnXKd"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-861629 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/INAUG_MERCHBANNER-2-1024x391.png" alt="" width="1024" height="391" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/INAUG_MERCHBANNER-2-1024x391.png 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/INAUG_MERCHBANNER-2-300x115.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/INAUG_MERCHBANNER-2-768x293.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/INAUG_MERCHBANNER-2-1536x587.png 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/INAUG_MERCHBANNER-2-2048x782.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>
She also responded to someone who asked whether her husband had requested a pardon, and her answer did nothing to clarify whether he had.
&#8220;Hi, Karen, where did you hear Alex didn’t request a pardon? Do you know me? Also, there is wide reporting many who received pardons were surprised and didn’t request them,&#8221; <a href="https://www.threads.net/@rachelvindman/post/DFDaSAoR9fV?xmt=AQGzlm3R22mEP_-wFe7-pfRLcr3QsaYhZIm5v3VUmBJBgx8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vindman said</a>.
A report from <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/online/betrayal-alex-vindmans-wife-fumes-about-her-husband-getting-shut-out-of-last-minute-biden-pardons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mediaite</a> suggested that the Vindmans had, in fact, reached out to the Biden White House about a potential pardon but had not heard anything in response.
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?_gl=1*1lail3r*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MzIyMDEyNDkuQ2owS0NRaUEwZnU1QmhEUUFSSXNBTVhVQk9JSkM0VnNsMFVreURxYXUxVWVEVWdOdjZkNzR2Y1pEeEZQeHVBcGl2R3BLaTdBMjVzT1p5TWFBdG1nRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*NDUxNDQ0NzYwLjE3MzY3ODI2NDY.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczNjk1NzYwMy4zNDAuMS4xNzM2OTU3NzE2LjYwLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?_gl%3D1*1lail3r*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MzIyMDEyNDkuQ2owS0NRaUEwZnU1QmhEUUFSSXNBTVhVQk9JSkM0VnNsMFVreURxYXUxVWVEVWdOdjZkNzR2Y1pEeEZQeHVBcGl2R3BLaTdBMjVzT1p5TWFBdG1nRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*NDUxNDQ0NzYwLjE3MzY3ODI2NDY.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczNjk1NzYwMy4zNDAuMS4xNzM2OTU3NzE2LjYwLjAuMA..&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1737044212122000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3mp2MZNwEXBk00lKmCtOss">CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT</a>
Just a few hours later, the White House announced that Biden had issued another set of pardons for several of his own close relatives, including James B. Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John T. Owens, and Francis W. Biden.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Biden just pardoned his family in the way out the door. As well as Cheney, Fauci, Milley, et al. They are as rotten to the core and corrupt as we always knew they were. <a href="https://t.co/gpDfThFKQn">pic.twitter.com/gpDfThFKQn</a>
&mdash; Chris Stigall (@ChrisStigall) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisStigall/status/1881387139335909609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Impeachment Hearing

Alexander Vindman’s Wife Super-Pissed That Her Husband Didn’t Get In On Last-Minute Pardons

Alexander Vindman's Wife Super-Pissed That Her Husband Didn't Get In on Last-Minute Pardons

Alexander Vindman

Anthony Fauci

Executive

Joe Biden

Mark Milley

Pardon

Politics

Rachel Vindman, whose husband Alexander Vindman was a key witness in the first impeachment of former President Donald Trump, backpedaled on Monday after facing a virtual tidal wave of backlash for something she said about the second assassination attempt on Trump&#8217;s life.
In her <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/vindmans-wife-mocks-trumps-near-killing-at-hands-of-fellow-ukraine-loyalist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">initial post</a>, Vindman referenced the first assassination attempt — which took place on July 13th in Pennsylvania — where firefighter Corey Comperatore was killed, two others were seriously injured, and Trump was shot in the ear. Because the shooter on Sunday was apprehended without ever firing a shot at Trump, she said. &#8220;No ears were harmed. Carry one with your Sunday afternoon.&#8221;
She later doubled down, saying that she was not even a little bit sorry for &#8220;triggering&#8221; people with her comment. But by Monday, she had changed her tune.
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726612552608000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0z8UhXBzv4DgbrmaVTVaxo">Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!</a>
&#8220;I have deleted my tweet. It was flippant &amp; political violence is a serious issue,&#8221; she said via X. &#8220;Whether it’s aimed at a former president, the media, immigrants, or political &#8216;enemies&#8217; &amp; every incident should be addressed appropriately if we want to change the tenor of our political discourse.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I have deleted my tweet. It was flippant &amp; political violence is a serious issue. Whether it’s aimed at a former president, the media, immigrants, or political “enemies” &amp; every incident should be addressed appropriately if we want to change the tenor of our political discourse.
— Rachel Vindman 🇺🇸🦅🌻 (@natsechobbyist) <a href="https://twitter.com/natsechobbyist/status/1835697691981967841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Vindman continued her thoughts in a brief thread, pivoting immediately from her apology into a justification of her initial comments and the suggestion that she, in fact, was the real victim.
&#8220;I have sat awake many nights wondering who might be outside. I have known the instant fear of receiving an unknown package or letter. I have had my child ask me if we were safe and if someone was going to hurt our family,&#8221; she said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
With social media it’s easy to say the wrong thing and then walk away, but if words matter for some they should matter for all. I don’t always get it right the first time. I’m grateful to all who have supported us throughout the past five years.
— Rachel Vindman 🇺🇸🦅🌻 (@natsechobbyist) <a href="https://twitter.com/natsechobbyist/status/1835697695706485151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;With social media it’s easy to say the wrong thing and then walk away, but if words matter for some they should matter for all. I don’t always get it right the first time. I’m grateful to all who have supported us throughout the past five years.&#8221;
Critics were not sure she meant it, however, and responded accordingly.
&#8220;I’m normally pretty forgiving about this stuff, but have a hard time believing this. The Vindmans have consistently been supremely narcissistic, they doubled down on her tweet for hours and this is happening only after it’s proven politically damaging,&#8221; Mark Hemingway posted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I’m normally pretty forgiving about this stuff, but have a hard time believing this. The Vindmans have consistently been supremely narcissistic, they doubled down on her tweet for hours and this is happening only after it’s proven politically damaging. <a href="https://t.co/8jcZ2wKyqZ">https://t.co/8jcZ2wKyqZ</a>
— Mark Hemingway (@Heminator) <a href="https://twitter.com/Heminator/status/1835747209494839553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;She went from &#8216;sorry you’re triggered. I mean no I’m not. I don’t care a little bit&#8217; to &#8216;political violence is a serious issue,'&#8221; Greg Price added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
She went from “sorry you’re triggered. I mean no I’m not. I don’t care a little bit” to “political violence is a serious issue.” <a href="https://t.co/G03nZ9OQ1F">https://t.co/G03nZ9OQ1F</a> <a href="https://t.co/elEEyAY94Q">pic.twitter.com/elEEyAY94Q</a>
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) <a href="https://twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1835702137503793532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Vindman&#8217;s brother-in-law is currently running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia.

Genesis Prize Award Dinner In Honor Of 10th Anniversary Laureate Barbra Streisand

Rachel Vindman Backpedals A Day Late, And No One Is Buying It

assassination attempt

Donald Trump

The wife of Alexander Vindman, the man behind Donald Trump’s impeachment, mocked the attempted assassination of Donald Trump Sunday afternoon at the hands of a fellow Ukraine loyalist.
“No ears were harmed. Carry on with your Sunday afternoon,” Rachel Vindman wrote, dismissing the attempted killing of a former president and making light of how he was actually shot in the head two months ago.
“Sorry you’re triggered. I mean no I’m not. I don’t care a little bit,” she added.
Alexander and Eugene Vindman are Ukrainian twins who joined the U.S. military and made their way into the National Security Council staff in the White House, with Alexander joining in the Obama administration and remaining there under Trump as an ostensibly nonpolitical official. After Trump had a call with Ukraine’s president in which he encouraged him to look into Hunter Biden’s business dealings there, the twins sought to use the call to portray Trump himself as corrupt, leading to his impeachment.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Violence against any elected official should never be celebrated or dismissed. This is now the second assassination attempt on former President Trump in a few weeks. Our country needs to continue to work to come together, as one, and be united against the challenges we face both… <a href="https://t.co/IIXDBHSjc9">pic.twitter.com/IIXDBHSjc9</a>
— Derrick Anderson (@DerrickforVA) <a href="https://twitter.com/DerrickforVA/status/1835435274786255028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
The media portrayed Alexander Vindman as a nonpartisan, career military man who therefore should be taken seriously. In the years since, it has become clear that he was in fact a raging partisan, and that Democrats took the nearly unprecedented action of impeachment over a seemingly minor phone call incident because Hunter Biden was, in fact, criminally corrupt.
The man suspected of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/alleged-would-be-assassin-was-democrat-donor-with-criminal-record" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attempting to kill Trump on Sunday</a> was a Democrat who adopted the party’s Ukraine obsession with such gusto that the New York Times wrote about his efforts to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war and bring other foreigners to do the same. 
Eugene Vindman is now the Democrat nominee for Congress in Virginia’s seventh congressional district, a once Republican area that has recently leaned slightly blue. Eugene Vindman stands poised to be a U.S. congressman even though much of his family’s focus has remained on the country of his birth.
The Republican running against him, Derrick Anderson, condemned Rachel Vindman’s remarks on X, writing that “This is now the second assassination attempt on former President Trump in a few weeks…. My opponent,  @YVindman, has called for lowering the political temperature of this country — so will he denounce these terrible statements from his family member and supporter?”
Eugene Vindman posted a comment that refused to express sympathy to Trump by name, saying only “I am deeply disturbed by yet another attempt of political violence in our nation. I am grateful that no one is hurt.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Look at what <a href="https://twitter.com/AVindman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AVindman</a> reposts — while his degenerate wife jokes about a second assassination attempt against Donald Trump. <a href="https://t.co/5g9qb4Mo0R">https://t.co/5g9qb4Mo0R</a> <a href="https://t.co/PbRFA9Dmbi">pic.twitter.com/PbRFA9Dmbi</a>
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonrantz/status/1835445692661477607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
Alexander Vindman, for his part, unleashed numerous unhinged screeds blaming Trump for his own near-assassinations. When Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita wrote that Rachel Vindman’s comments should be condemned, he replied “I condemn you… Your candidate @realDonaldTrump has incited political violence for a decade.”
He pointed to a 2020 tweet by Trump defending himself against Alexander Vindman’s allegations, suggesting it constituted “harassment and incitement of violence.”
Trump “instigated attacks on legal immigrants resulting in bomb threats. His constant stoking of political violence doesn’t receive enough scrutiny. And the violence he inspires doesn’t receive enough condemnation,” he said. Saying nothing of the fact that Trump was literally almost murdered on Sunday, he instead blamed Trump&#8217;s &#8220;rhetoric&#8221; for supposedly instigating violence.
No one has ever tried to shoot Joe Biden or Kamala Harris, yet Trump has been the target of numerous murder plots.
When Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed calls for condemnation of Rachel Vindman&#8217;s rhetoric, Alexander Vindman responded by calling her a Russia propagandist.
The presence of such people in the National Security Council serves as vindication of Trump’s theory that a “deep state” was undermining him, and has tarnished the credibility of those who cast career government officials as “nonpartisan” and above reproach. 
A large plank in Eugene Vindman’s campaign platform is claiming that it will hurt northern Virginia&#8217;s economy if Republicans win because Trump might enact “Schedule F” reform that would mean a president cannot be forced to keep people who openly subvert his agenda.
“The MAGA movement has made their intentions clear: if they take full control of the Federal Government they will fire thousands and install loyalists into our civil service. If their scheme for Schedule F is enacted, thousands of Virginians will lose their jobs,” his <a href="https://vindmanforcongress.com/issues/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> says.
It is also aimed at advancing the cause of his homeland, underscoring his desire for “supporting Ukraine as they repel Putin’s invasion, strengthening NATO, and working with our European allies to make sure Russia’s aggression does not go unchecked.”
Virginia’s 7th district was for years the home of Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. In 2014, he was defeated in the Republican primary by further-right Republican David Brat, who served two terms before being unseated by Democrat Abigail Spanberger, who won with 50.3% of the vote after positioning herself as more centrist.
Spanberger is now running for governor, but the Vindman family’s conduct positions them far outside the realm of centrism that history suggests the district prefers.

Vindman’s Wife Mocks Trump’s Near-Killing At Hands of Fellow Ukraine Loyalist

Ukraine

Virginia

The wife of retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was ripped and called an &#8220;unhinged maniac&#8221; over a tweet she posted Tuesday attacking Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and invoking the lawmaker&#8217;s newborn son. 
Rachel Vindman told Stefanik she has &#8220;blood of Ukrainians&#8221; on her &#8220;hands&#8221; and hopes the Republican thinks of Ukrainian moms who lost their children when she holds her &#8220;new baby.&#8221; 
Notably, Stefanik offered <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAyaP7XsiAE">pointed and tight questioning</a> of Alexander Vindman during an impeachment hearing against then-former President Donald Trump. 
&#8220;[Rep. Stefanik] You have the blood of Ukrainians on your hands. When you hold your new baby I want you to think of the mothers of [Ukraine]  who will never see their children again because you abdicated your responsibility to hold Trump accountable for his extortion,&#8221; Rachel posted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepStefanik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepStefanik</a> You have the blood of Ukrainians on your hands. When you hold your new baby I want you to think of the mothers of <a href="https://twitter.com/Ukraine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ukraine</a> who will never see their children again because you abdicated your responsibility to hold Trump accountable for his extortion. <a href="https://t.co/9vOpDkoGSw">https://t.co/9vOpDkoGSw</a>
&mdash; Rachel Vindman 🇺🇸🦅🌻 (@natsechobbyist) <a href="https://twitter.com/natsechobbyist/status/1498653920125759492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The criticism quickly rolled in. &#8220;Wow, this person is an unhinged maniac. Seek help,&#8221; wrote Garrett Ventry.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Wow, this person is an unhinged maniac. Seek help. <a href="https://t.co/vYktsVZ7Pl">https://t.co/vYktsVZ7Pl</a>
&mdash; Garrett Ventry (@GarrettVentry) <a href="https://twitter.com/GarrettVentry/status/1498701347109097474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;According to this deranged psychopath, Putin is invading Ukraine because Elise Stefanik didn&#8217;t impeach Trump for &#8216;extortion&#8217; that Zelensky publicly said in 2019 never occurred,&#8221; commented Greg Price.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
According to this deranged psychopath, Putin is invading Ukraine because Elise Stefanik didn&#39;t impeach Trump for &quot;extortion&quot; that Zelensky publicly said in 2019 never occurred. <a href="https://t.co/nh2l2ZQkIk">https://t.co/nh2l2ZQkIk</a>
&mdash; Greg Price (@greg_price11) <a href="https://twitter.com/greg_price11/status/1498710898025902080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;You are a psycho,&#8221; RedState&#8217;s Bonchie said.
https://twitter.com/bonchieredstate/status/1498726816005365761
The Daily Wire&#8217;s Tim Meads wrote, &#8220;This is pretty gross and delusional.&#8221;
https://twitter.com/TimMeadsUSA/status/1498697508125655040
&#8220;Delete Twitter,&#8221; commented The Blaze&#8217;s Jessica O&#8217;Donnell. &#8220;Get help.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Delete Twitter. Get help. <a href="https://t.co/uguilv4l13">https://t.co/uguilv4l13</a>
&mdash; Jessica O’Donnell 🏈 (@heckyessica) <a href="https://twitter.com/heckyessica/status/1498708494463246347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Rachel is not well…,&#8221; said Henry Rodgers, a correspondent at The Daily Caller.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Rachel is not well… <a href="https://t.co/gbmLXNgGHZ">https://t.co/gbmLXNgGHZ</a>
&mdash; Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) <a href="https://twitter.com/henryrodgersdc/status/1498745266157101072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Get your family away from the buffet line and go fight, Rachel,&#8221; blasted writer and commentator David Reaboi. &#8220;See if your husband can teach you how to fire a weapon.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Get your family away from the buffet line and go fight, Rachel. See if your husband can teach you how to fire a weapon. <a href="https://t.co/QOK0KOZaHD">https://t.co/QOK0KOZaHD</a>
&mdash; David Reaboi, Late Republic Nonsense (@davereaboi) <a href="https://twitter.com/davereaboi/status/1498693261795414026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
One day earlier, Vindman gave his own spin about the conflict in Ukraine, likewise blaming former President Trump.
&#8220;It was trump that undermine U.S. national security &amp; froze military assistance to Ukraine, leaving that lion of a nation, vulnerable to attack. It was Trump’s attacks on NATO that encouraged Putin to believe NATO was fragile,&#8221; Vindman posted to Twitter. &#8220;It was Trump’s support of Putin that suggested the Republican party would rally to Putin’s cause. It was Trumps insurrection, &amp; incitement of discord that suggested the U.S was weak &amp; distracted.&#8221;
&#8220;It was Trumps actions, even within the past few days that undermined President Biden’s effort to avoid this war,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Trump has blood on his hands. Trump dug his own political grave with his corruption, efforts to undermine U.S. national security, &amp; support for petty tyrants.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
It was trump that undermine U.S. national security &amp; froze military assistance to Ukraine, leaving that lion of a nation, vulnerable to attack. It was Trump’s attacks on NATO that encouraged Putin to believe NATO was fragile. <a href="https://t.co/lkaPQ875rM">https://t.co/lkaPQ875rM</a>
&mdash; Alexander S. Vindman ❎ (@AVindman) <a href="https://twitter.com/AVindman/status/1498324778171568130?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
It was Trumps actions, even within the past few days that undermined President Biden’s effort to avoid this war. Trump has blood on his hands. Trump dug his own political grave with his corruption, efforts to undermine U.S. national security, &amp; support for petty tyrants.
&mdash; Alexander S. Vindman ❎ (@AVindman) <a href="https://twitter.com/AVindman/status/1498324780952563724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Bonchie, <a href="https://redstate.com/bonchie/2022/02/28/alexander-vindman-goes-full-leroy-jenkins-in-desperate-bid-to-cover-for-joe-biden-n529403">writing</a> at RedState, noted that Trump did send lethal aid to Ukraine and highlighted Trump&#8217;s clear efforts with regard to NATO, namely getting other countries to contribute more to their own defense and to stop enriching Russian President Vladimir Putin.
&#8220;Donald Trump was the first president to actually send lethal aid to Ukraine,&#8221; Bonchie wrote. &#8220;Barack Obama and Joe Biden only mustered blankets and other non-lethal materials. Did Vindman have anything to say about that? Of course not, because Vindman is an absolute hack whose primary goal is to protect Democrat interests. That was obvious during Trump’s impeachment, and it’s obvious now as he forgoes any criticism of Joe Biden to attack the guy who hasn’t been president in over a year.&#8221;
&#8220;As to the idea that Trump’s rhetoric on NATO empowered Putin, that’s ridiculous,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Trump was trying to get the NATO nations to 1) spend more on defense and 2) stop buying Russian oil and natural gas, which itself empowered Putin. Blowing smoke up the backside of the European leaders has never accomplished anything, and Trump was right to challenge the status quo.&#8221;
&#8220;But where Vindman truly goes full &#8216;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLyOj_QD4a4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leroy Jenkins</a>&#8216; is when he attempts to blame Biden’s specific failure on Trump,&#8221; Bonchie closed. &#8220;Donald Trump, whatever one may think of him, has had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the current president has been completely inept. It’s laughable to even suggest that. Further, it’s been Republicans (<a href="https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2022/02/21/cruz-takes-joe-biden-apart-on-russia-he-has-been-best-thing-for-putin-n525597" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including Ted Cruz</a>) who have pushed for heavy sanctions on Russia for months, long before Putin crossed the border. The Biden administration rallied against those. Again, where was Vindman to complain about that?&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-driving-force-behind-trumps-impeachment-was-not-the-whistleblower-new-book-alleges">The Driving Force Behind Trump’s Impeachment Was NOT The Whistleblower, New Book Alleges</a>

House Intelligence Committee Continues Open Impeachment Hearings

Alex Vindman’s Wife Called ‘Unhinged Maniac’ For Attack On Rep. Stefanik Invoking Newborn Son

Elise Stefanik

Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, whose brother Alexander testified against former President Donald Trump during his first impeachment, is receiving a promotion under the Biden administration.
Vindman will be promoted to colonel, according to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/15/politics/yevgeny-vindman-to-be-promoted/index.html">CNN</a>. The Army JAG attorney worked as the National Security Council (NSC) ethics attorney in the Trump administration and received critical reviews from members of the Trump administration that alleged Vindman had an “unprofessional demeanor” and was unable “to differentiate between legal and policy decisions.”
Vindman thanked the Biden administration in a statement while continuing his assertions that his negative performance reviews from Trump officials were a form of retaliation for a number of probes he led into their conduct.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence the U.S. Army and the Judge Advocate General Corps have placed in me with selection for promotion to Colonel. They stood their ground despite intense pressure during the last Administration. I look forward to continuing my service to the U.S. Army and the Nation in positions of increasing responsibility,” Vindman <a href="https://twitter.com/JDiamond1/status/1371795970422403082">said</a>.
“The Department of Defense Inspector General will soon complete its investigation into the malfeasance of former White House officials, one of whom remains in a senior government position. I look forward to reviewing the report, which I hope will lead to accountability for those who retaliated against me for making lawful disclosures of misconduct,” he added.
“Thank you to the many fellow officers, Soldiers, friends, relations and all Americans of good will who supported me and my brother Lieutenant Colonel (ret) Alexander Vindman during this challenging period and throughout my career. My family and I also extend hearty congratulations to my fellow selectees for promotion to colonel,” he concluded.
An April 6, 2020 officer evaluation report from Vindman’s bosses in the White House Counsel’s office, John Eisenberg and Michael Ellis, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/15/yevgeny-vindman-promotion-post-trump-476038">said</a> that Vindman was “a hardworking officer, but he frequently lacks judgment and has difficulty understanding the appropriate role of a lawyer in an organization.”
“On multiple occasions, his unprofessional demeanor made NSC staff feel uncomfortable,” the review continued. Vindman “would benefit from additional experience in a slower-paced work environment subject to less pressure and scrutiny … In time, he may become a better attorney.”
Vindman cited the April 6 evaluation in a whistleblower complaint to the DOD inspector general alleging that he was the victim of retaliation. He cited an earlier evaluation from July 1, 2019, in which Eisenburg called Vindman “the epitome of an Army officer and lawyer” and “the best LTC with whom I have ever worked.”
Vindman and his brother gained national attention when Alexander testified against Trump prior to the president’s first impeachment. Trump later fired both Vindman brothers from the NSC, and Alexander later <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lt-col-alexander-vindman-retires-from-military-statement-accuses-trump-of-bullying-him">retired</a> from the military citing “a campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation.”
“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,” Vindman said in a July 8, 2020 tweet.

Yevgeny Vindman

Impeachment Witness’s Brother, Panned By Trump Officials, Tapped For Promotion Under Biden

The whistleblower reportedly at the center of the Democrats’ impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump was apparently not the driving factor.
A new book from Byron York, “Obsession: Inside the Washington Establishment’s Never-Ending War on Trump,” details how it was the National Security Council’s Lt. Col. Alex Vindman behind the impeachment efforts, rather than the whistleblower, who is not identified in the book. As Mollie Hemingway wrote at The Federalist, the whistleblower was previously identified by Real Clear Investigations as Eric Ciaramella, who worked for the CIA. In fact, Hemingway wrote, Ciaramella “was a diversion from allowing the American people to understand who was the actual instigator of the failed effort to oust President Donald Trump from office.”
“Rather than being a witness who independently supported the claims of the whistleblower, the National Security Council’s Lt. Col Alex Vindman was the driving force behind the entire operation, according to the book’s interviews with key figures in the impeachment probe and other evidence. The whistleblower’s information came directly from Vindman, investigators determined,” Hemingway wrote.
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) told York that “Vindman was the person on the call who went to the whistleblower after the call, to give the whistleblower the information he needed to file his complaint.”
A senior congressional aide also told York: “For all intents and purposes, Vindman is the whistleblower here, but he was able to get somebody else to do his dirty work for him.”
As Hemingway wrote:
<blockquote>Vindman was the only person at the National Security Council (NSC) listening in on the infamous call between President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to be concerned by it. Vindman immediately began talking to his identical twin brother Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, who also worked at the NSC. The twins both complained to NSC Counsel John Eisenberg. Alex Vindman talked about it with his direct supervisor Tim Morrison, who was also on the call. He talked about it with another NSC lawyer, Michael Ellis.
Vindman testified that he talked to only two people outside the NSC. One was George Kent, a State Department official who dealt with Ukraine. He refused to say who the other person was. Both Vindman and Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who led the impeachment proceedings, strenuously resisted any attempt by investigators to discuss who the other individual was, admitting only that it was a member of the “intelligence community,” the same nebulous descriptor used for the whistleblower.</blockquote>
Vindman also helped prepare the White House’s rough transcript of the allegedly fateful call.
In February, Trump began removing Obama administration holdovers from the National Security Council, including Vindman, The Daily Wire’s Emily Zanotti <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/deep-state-trump-dumps-dozens-of-obama-holdovers-in-the-national-security-council">reported</a>. While the media and Democrats suggested this was retaliation, Vindman served at the discretion of the president, who had the right to remove him from the council. It didn’t mean Vindman was fired. Vindman did, however, retire in July, claiming Trump was “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lt-col-alexander-vindman-retires-from-military-statement-accuses-trump-of-bullying-him">bullying</a>” him.

Alex Vindman

The Driving Force Behind Trump’s Impeachment Was NOT The Whistleblower, New Book Alleges

Impeachment

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who testified against President Trump during his impeachment last year, is retiring from the military.
“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,” Vindman tweeted on Wednesday morning.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
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. <a href="https://t.co/h2D9MRUHY2">pic.twitter.com/h2D9MRUHY2</a>
&mdash; Alexander S. Vindman ❎ (@AVindman) <a href="https://twitter.com/AVindman/status/1280881196604559360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Vindman’s attorney, David Pressman, explained Vindnman’s decision on Wednesday in a <a href="https://twitter.com/haltman/status/1280884000450625538">statement</a> blaming the president for carrying on a “campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation.”
Pressman stated:
<blockquote>After more than 21 years of service, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman is retiring today after it has been made clear that his future within the institution he has dutifully served will forever be limited.
Over the last months, LTC Vindman has been guided by a very simple and very American principle: “here, right matters.” He has spoken publicly once, and only pursuant to a subpoena from the United States Congress. Compelled to testify, this decorated soldier was thrust into a conversation that goes to the heart of our country&#8217;s values, and its future.
Through a campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation, 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. These are choices that no one in the United States should confront, especially one who has dedicated his life to serving it.
LTC Vindman did what the law compelled him to do; and for that he was bullied by the president and his proxies. And yet LTC Vindman would not be intimidated and will not be corrupted. He did what he has always done: put the interests of his country ahead of his own.
LTC Vindman’s patriotism has cost him his career. Today our country loses a devoted soldier, but it is incumbent on all of us to ensure it does not lose the values he represents.</blockquote>
Vindman walked away from his 21-year military career instead of taking a post at the Navy War College because “senior Army officials” had spoken with him and “made clear that there were forces working against his advancement within the military,” CNN <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/politics/vindman-retiring-alleged-white-house-retaliation/index.html">reported</a>. Senior military officials allegedly told Vindman that he would need a “rehabilitative assignment” after his post at the college to continue advancing.
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and other top Pentagon officials have denied allegations made in recent weeks that administration officials were attempting to derail Vindman’s career.
Trump <a href="http://dailywire.com/news/breaking-alexander-vindman-fired-escorted-from-white-house-brother-goes-with-him-report-says">fired</a> Vindman from the White House National Security Council (NSC) in February days after the Senate voted to acquit the president on two impeachment charges passed by the House last year. Vindman&#8217;s twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, was also fired from his post on the NSC the same day. Yevgeny did not testify in the impeachment trial.

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman Retires From Military; Statement Accuses Trump Of ‘Bullying’ Him

Former National Security Council staffer Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman will not be investigated for violating military principles over his testimony against President Donald Trump, the Army announced Friday.
Politico <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/14/alexander-vindman-no-army-investigation-115286">reported</a> that Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy announced at an event at the National Press Club that Vindman would face no disciplinary action at an event and even downplayed Vindman’s removal from the NSC. Vindman was already scheduled to return to the Army a few months before Trump removed him. Trump, as commander-in-chief, has the ultimate discretion to remove people from his administration. He also removed Vindman’s twin brother as part of a house cleaning to get rid of Obama-era holdovers at the National Security Council. McCarthy said Vindman would have a “bridging assignment” for the next few months.
“Then he will be heading to a senior service college this summer. There’s no investigation into him,” McCarthy said.
As The Daily Wire previously reported, Trump suggested at a press briefing on Tuesday that “the military can handle” Vindman. When asked what he meant by that, Trump elaborated.
“That’s going to be up to the military, we’ll have to see, but if you look at what happened, they’re going to certainly, I would imagine, take a look at that,” Trump said.
Trump continued by saying that Vindman said “very inaccurate things” during his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee regarding the president’s July 25th phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“It turned out that what he reported was very different,” Trump said. “And also, when you look at the person he reports to, said horrible things, avoided the chain of command, leaked, did a lot of bad things. And so, we sent him on his way to a much different location, and the military can handle him anyway they want.”
As The Daily Wire noted:
<blockquote>Trump is likely referring to the fact that Vindman broke one of the fundamental principles governing the military: Do not publicly question or refuse the orders and policies of higher ups. And since the president of the United States is at the top of the chain of command, Vindman broke the principle. Whether he will be disciplined for it is anyone’s guess.
While Vindman has become a hero to the Left simply for speaking out against Trump, the Right has noted that the former military official’s qualms with Trump were policy related and that he really had nothing to say about any crimes Trump may or may not have committed while speaking to Zelensky. Attorney and former Army Ranger John Lucas <a href="https://thefederalist.com/2019/11/22/alexander-vindmans-impeachment-testimony-displays-his-open-insubordination/">wrote</a> at The Federalist (where I also have a byline) after Vindman’s testimony that his “questions and answers made clear he simply disagreed with the way the president was administering his chosen foreign policy.”</blockquote>
Two Medal of Honor recipients also criticized Vindman for his service, calling him a “chow thief” (someone who takes food when there is a limited supply so others can’t get any) and a “spotlight ranger” (someone who only worked hard when he was being watched).

Vindman

Army Won’t Investigate Alexander Vindman After Trump Suggests They Should

Another feud seems to have erupted between President Trump and his former chief of staff John Kelly after the four-star general publicly criticized his former boss for what he sees as poor decisionmaking.
Speaking at a Drew University event on Wednesday in New Jersey, Kelly openly critiqued some of President Trump&#8217;s policies and even defended Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the man who testified during Trump&#8217;s impeachment hearings that he felt &#8220;concerned&#8221; by the president&#8217;s July 25 phone call with Ukraine about investigating Joe Biden. 
“He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave,” Kelly <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/482886-john-kelly-praises-vindman-he-did-did-exactly-what-we-teach-them-to">said of Vindman</a>. “He went and told his boss what he just heard. Through the Obama administration up until that phone call, the policy of the U.S. was militarily to support Ukraine in their defensive fight against &#8230; the Russians. When the president said that continued support would be based on X, that essentially changed. And that’s what that guy [Vindman] was most interested in.”
“We teach them, ‘Don’t follow an illegal order. And if you’re ever given one, you’ll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss,'&#8221; continued Kelly.
The White House relieved Vindman from his post last Friday. It should be noted that former Medal of Honor recipients have publicly scolded Vindman for his conduct during the House probe into President Trump&#8217;s handling of Ukraine.
“I respect Donald Trump’s actions on escorting [Vindman] out of the White House, because he, as a team player, he should have brought it up through the chain of command, and then blown the whistle if it didn’t get approved,” Leroy Petry <a href="https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-friends/fox-friends-smears-lt-col-alexander-vindmans-military-record">told</a> “Fox &amp; Friends” on Sunday. “I respect his service and I understand he’s a Purple Heart recipient, but being a Purple Heart recipient doesn’t make somebody a hero.&#8221;
Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia also said, &#8220;Vindman is a very controversial guy, depending on your politics; you either love him or you hate him. Joe Biden gave him a standing ovation. Some people see him as just an emotional kid who just is so partisan and blinded by his politics that he jumped the chain of command and was blinded by being a part of history and politics are more important than his oath.&#8221;
According to <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/482935-trump-lashes-out-over-kelly-criticism-he-misses-the-action">The Hill</a>, Kelly also said that the media is &#8220;not the enemy of the people&#8221; while describing migrants as &#8220;overwhelmingly good people.&#8221;
In response to Kelly&#8217;s critique, President Trump tweeted, &#8220;When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn’t do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head. Being Chief of Staff just wasn’t for him. He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many X’s, he misses the action &amp; just can’t keep his mouth shut, which he actually has a military and legal obligation to do. His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside &amp; said strongly that &#8216;John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you.&#8217; Wrong!&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
&#8230;.which he actually has a military and legal obligation to do. His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside &amp; said strongly that “John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you.” Wrong!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1227986937652350976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

TrumpKell

John Kelly Rebukes Trump For Firing Of Col. Vindman; Trump Fires Back

John Kelly

The U.S. military may look into taking disciplinary action against former National Security Council official Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman after he testified against President Donald Trump and was removed from the White House.
Trump himself made the suggestion during a press briefing on Tuesday. He mentioned that “the military can handle him,” referring to Vindman. A reporter followed up on the statement to ask Trump what he meant.
“That’s going to be up to the military, we’ll have to see, but if you look at what happened, they’re going to certainly, I would imagine, take a look at that,” Trump said, as <a href="https://www.politico.com/amp/news/2020/02/11/trump-military-disciplinary-action-vindman-114161">reported</a> by Politico.
Trump also said Vindman said “very inaccurate things” in his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee regarding the president’s phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“It turned out that what he reported was very different,” Trump said. “And also, when you look at the person he reports to, said horrible things, avoided the chain of command, leaked, did a lot of bad things. And so, we sent him on his way to a much different location, and the military can handle him anyway they want.”
Trump is likely referring to the fact that Vindman broke one of the fundamental principles governing the military: Do not publicly question or refuse the orders and policies of higher ups. And since the president of the United States is at the top of the chain of command, Vindman broke the principle. Whether he will be disciplined for it is anyone’s guess.
While Vindman has become a hero to the Left simply for speaking out against Trump, the Right has noted that the former military official’s qualms with Trump were policy related and that he really had nothing to say about any crimes Trump may or may not have committed while speaking to Zelensky. Attorney and former Army Ranger John Lucas <a href="https://thefederalist.com/2019/11/22/alexander-vindmans-impeachment-testimony-displays-his-open-insubordination/">wrote</a> at The Federalist (where I also have a byline) after Vindman’s testimony that his “questions and answers made clear he simply disagreed with the way the president was administering his chosen foreign policy.”
Two Medal of Honor recipients also chastised Vindman earlier this week for being a “chow thief” and a “spotlighter,” The Daily Wire’s Amanda Prestigiacomo <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chow-thief-two-medal-of-honor-recipients-sound-off-on-alexander-vindman">reported</a>.
Master Sergeant (ret.) Leroy Petry said on Fox &amp; Friends over the weekend that Vindman “couldn’t be trusted” back at Ranger School. Vindman, according to Petry, took food (chow thief) when there was a limited supply, only worked hard when someone was watching (spotlight ranger), and irked his peers enough for them to try to get him out of Ranger School (peered out). Petry also said Vindman let everyone know he was a liberal even though people in the military are supposed to keep it contained.
Vindman was one of the first among a house cleaning of the National Security Council. Trump on Tuesday removed Vindman and his twin brother Yevgeny and will continue to remove Obama-era holdovers on the council. Members of the NSC serve at the discretion of Trump, and he has every right to remove them.

President Trump

Trump Suggests Military Could Take Disciplinary Action Against Alexander Vindman

President Donald Trump is cleaning house at the National Security Council, scrubbing dozens of Obama administration holdovers in the agency after dumping Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the NSC&#8217;s expert on Ukraine, who testified against the president in the House Democrats&#8217; impeachment inquiry, late last year.
Vindman was recalled from his post on Friday, months earlier than he expected, and will be reassigned to the Defense Department, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/08/politics/national-security-council-overhaul/index.html">according to CNN</a>. House Democrats &#8212; and Vindman&#8217;s attorney &#8212; claim Vindman is being punished for his testimony, in which he reported being uncomfortable with the content of a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian officials.
The White House responded that Vindman serves at the discretion of the president, and Trump is well within his rights to let Vindman go. President Trump himself took to Twitter to defend the dismissal, noting that Vindman &#8220;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.&#8221;
Vindman&#8217;s twin brother,  Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, who worked as an attorney for the National Security Council, was also fired on Friday. House Democrats announced Monday that they will be initiating an investigation into whether the two Vindmans were punished for being &#8220;whistleblowers&#8221; in volation of Federal law.
<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/bigger-than-vindman-trump-scrubs-70-obama-holdovers-from-nsc">The Washington Examiner reports</a>, though, that the &#8220;house-cleaning&#8221; goes deeper than the two Vindmans, and is part of an extensive effort to pare down the NSC and several other agencies, packed with Obama-era officials. Acting national security advisor Robert O&#8217;Brien has already cut dozens of personnel and is expected to cut dozens more, letting at least 70 individuals go from the foreign policy and intelligence agency.
&#8220;President Trump is making good on his promises to &#8216;drain the swamp&#8217; and cut Obama-era holdovers from his staffs, especially the critical and recently controversial National Security Council,&#8221; the Examiner said Tuesday. &#8220;Many were loaners from other agencies and have been sent back. Others left government work.&#8221;
The National Security Council had around 100 employees at the height of the global war on terror, during the George W. Bush administration. Without reason, President Barack Obama more than doubled the staff, leaving the Trump administration with a bloated, 230-person NSC, packed, reportedly, with Obama loyalists.
O&#8217;Brien wants to return to the lean, Bush-era staff.
CNN reports that O&#8217;Brien has been busy already.
&#8220;As of December, 40 to 45 staff detailed to the NSC had already been sent back to the departments and agencies where they originally worked,&#8221; the network reported. &#8220;In January, about 180 officials from the Pentagon, the State Department, Homeland Security and the various intelligence agencies were on loan to the NSC&#8221; and O&#8217;Brien &#8220;expects to have about 60 to 70 staffers return to their home agency&#8221; by the end of this month.
The scale-back is not unusual for the Trump administration, which has been cutting staff across the Federal government, partly to reduce overhead and cost, partly to make systems more efficient, and party to clear the so-called &#8220;deep state&#8221; of Obama administration officials that exists within a number of agencies &#8212; and which the Trump White House claims subverts the president&#8217;s agenda.

Deep State: Trump Dumps Dozens Of Obama Holdovers In The National Security Council

On Sunday, Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry appeared on Fox News&#8217; &#8220;Fox &amp; Friends,&#8221; where he discussed Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who was escorted out of the White House on Friday.
Petry defended President Donald Trump&#8217;s actions and laid into Vindman for putting himself before those he was fighting alongside, calling the impeachment witness a likely &#8220;chow thief&#8221; and a &#8220;spotlighter.&#8221;
&#8220;I respect Donald Trump&#8217;s actions on escorting [Vindman] out of the White House, because he, as a team player, he should have brought it up through the chain of command, and then blown the whistle if it didn&#8217;t get approved,&#8221; Perry <a href="https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-friends/fox-friends-smears-lt-col-alexander-vindmans-military-record">told</a> &#8220;Fox &amp; Friends&#8221; on Sunday.
&#8220;I respect his service and I understand he&#8217;s a Purple Heart recipient, but being a Purple Heart recipient doesn&#8217;t make somebody a hero,&#8221; he noted.
Petry continued regarding Vindman, claiming he was dubbed a &#8220;chow thief&#8221; back at Ranger School and heard he &#8220;couldn&#8217;t be trusted.&#8221;
&#8220;They tried peering him out,&#8221; claimed Petry.
&#8220;Usually, folks that tried to make a big statue of something are what we call spotlighters in the military,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Trying to highlight themselves as a hero, or doing something great, and you could do something great just doing your job.&#8221;
&#8220;Fox &amp; Friends&#8221; weekend co-host Pete Hegseth offered to &#8220;translate&#8221; Petry&#8217;s comments regarding Vindman:
<blockquote>&#8220;Chow thief&#8221; meaning when there&#8217;s limited food, you&#8217;re taking some so that you can have some and your buddies don&#8217;t. &#8220;Spotlight ranger&#8221; is someone who, when the spotlight&#8217;s on, you do a great job; when it&#8217;s not, you&#8217;re not necessarily helping your buddies. And to be &#8220;peered out&#8221; means your fellow peers are voting against you to graduate from that particular school. I&#8217;ve also heard his political allegiance; he always wore it openly. Like, we all are allowed to have political views, but he&#8217;s been a left-winger his entire career, and now the president has a prerogative to get rid of him.</blockquote>
Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia added some commentary on Vindman, too.
On Sunday, taking to Instagram to encourage folks to watch Petry&#8217;s &#8220;Fox &amp; Friends&#8221; appearance, Bellavia said Vindman is seen as one of two things:
<blockquote>Vindman is a very controversial guy, depending on your politics; you either love him or you hate him. Joe Biden gave him a standing ovation. Some people see him as just an emotional kid who just is so partisan and blinded by his politics that he jumped the chain of command and was blinded by being a part of history and politics are more important than his oath.</blockquote>
Bellavia, between intermittent fits of laughter, then joked about Petry choosing to hit Vindman on the &#8220;chow thief&#8221; claims.
“Vindman was a chow thief,” Bellavia says, letting out a fit of laughter. “Leroy is so old school that that alone should have taken [Vindman&#8217;s] security clearance away. In Leroy Perty&#8217;s mind, being a chow thief is the unforgivable sin.” 
&#8220;That is Leroy, and that’s why he needs to be on TV more,&#8221; Bellavia added, noting that Petry was &#8220;dead serious.&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-medal-of-honor-recipient-speech-goes-viral-as-tensions-with-iran-escalate">WATCH: Medal Of Honor Recipient Speech Goes Viral As Tensions With Iran Escalate</a>
WATCH:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8XMXs3hIpv/

Menu