Lt. Col. Vindman to describe his alarm over president's call with Ukrainian leader, girding for Repu

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

Lt. Col. Vindman to describe his alarm over president’s call with Ukrainian leader, girding for Republican attack

By Tom Hamburger, Carol D. Leonnig and Rachael Bade
11/18/2019, 7:33:13 p.m.

The House impeachment hearing Tuesday is set to feature one of the Democrats’ star witnesses: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a Purple Heart recipient who is expected to testify about his alarm at President Trump’s request that Ukraine investigate his political opponents.

But Republicans are also seizing on Vindman’s testimony as an opportunity, signaling that they plan to try to discredit one of the key witnesses in the inquiry by questioning his motives and his loyalty to the president.

The high-stakes appearance could provide some of the most contentious moments in the public hearings and set the tone as the inquiry heads into a busy week of testimony.

The spotlight will intensify the pressure on Vindman, who continues to serve in the White House as the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council. He previously told House lawmakers that he believed the president crossed a “disturbing” line when he asked the Ukrainian president for a “favor” during a July 25 call — that Ukraine investigate his Democratic rival Joe Biden.

Vindman, who was among those listening to the conversation, was so concerned that within an hour, he warned White House lawyers that the president’s actions were improper.

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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/both-democrats-and-republicans-look-to-lt-col-alexander-vindman-as-key-impeachment-witness/2019/11/18/3369cb94-09c7-11ea-bd9d-c628fd48b3a0_story.html

[madaboutharry]

1. I would think Lt. Col. Vindman is a lot tougher

than the weasel republicans on the committee. I really hope he puts them in their place.

[asiliveandbreathe]

2. Reading thru Morrisons transcript - Morrison tried to discredit

Lt. Col. Vindman - by saying he was untrustworthy, and how dare he go directly to the lawyers without first talking to Morrison - doesn't he know the chain of command (Morrison had been in that position for a very few days after Fiona Hill left..)

Sen. Johnson made an effort today, trying to discredit Vindman..Susan Del Percio with Nichole Wallace went ballistic on Deadline MSNBC...(I tried to find the video..)

I expect the Dems on the committee will do, as they did with Morrison, and stop republicans, the meadows and jordans, in short order trying to discredit Vindman...this is where I fully suspect fireworks...

I would have loved to have Vindman, Hill, and Morrison testify together, with Morrison sitting in the middle....I read his transcript...

[onecaliberal]

3. The simple rebuttal that is easily demonstrated by Vindman is that his loyalty is pledged to the

Constitution. He swore an oath to protect and defend, not trump or any other POTUS. These public servants see presidents come and go. They serve the American people.