Advertisement

Trump condemned by more than 1,000 veterans over Vindman firing

Jennifer Williams and Lt Col Alexander Vindman both had concerns about president's call: Getty
Jennifer Williams and Lt Col Alexander Vindman both had concerns about president's call: Getty

More than 1,000 military veterans have criticised Donald Trump for his attacks on Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, saying the president “has prioritised a personal vendetta over our national security”.

President Trump fired Lt. Col. Vindman from the National Security Council after being acquitted in his Senate impeachment trial. He was one of the key witnesses in the impeachment inquiry, along with ambassador to the EU Gordon Sonland, whom the administration has also fired.

In an open letter, the veterans write that the president’s dismissal of Lt. Col. Vindman is an assault on the military and all who have served in it, as well as on the foundation of the US itself.

“We consider president Trump’s sustained attacks on an active duty army officer, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, to be an affront to the Constitution that we have all sworn to uphold.

“President Trump believes that he can assail Lt. Col. Vindman with impunity, knowing that the latter is, by law, barred from speaking out. The president should know, however, that, despite taking aim at one Army officer, he has targeted anyone who currently wears – or has worn – the uniform.

“Our service members and veterans deserve the confidence of knowing that our elected leaders will come to their defense, just as they remain vigilant for ours.”

After Lt. Col. Vindman was fired, president Trump suggested that the army should take further disciplinary action against him, accusing him of saying “horrible things” and claiming he “violated the chain of command”.

However, army secretary Ryan McCarthy then said that there would be no further investigations into his conduct.

The veterans’ letter concludes by stressing that the singatories will not be cowed by the president’s conduct, and says that while Lt. Col. Vindman and his active-duty colleagues cannot defend themselves in public, they will use their voices to defend the military.

“Lt. Col. Vindman and all of his colleagues should know that we stand with them even when their commander-in-chief does not. For all of us, right still matters, just as we know it does for them, too.”