Trump says ‘not happy’ with Vindman, confirms he might be removed from White House job
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Friday he’s “not happy” with Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council aide who gave testimony in the impeachment inquiry and confirmed that it’s possible Vindman could be removed from his job.
White House officials are considering eliminating Vindman’s job, two administration officials familiar with the decision told USA TODAY.
“I’m not happy with him,” Trump said on the South Lawn when asked about the reports that Vindman’s job could be at risk. He said he was leaving it to his aides to decide if he’ll be ousted. “They’ll make that decision.”
The White House is weighing Vindman’s removal two days after the Senate acquitted Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in an impeachment trial centering on allegations the president tried to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.
Vindman, who worked in the NSC as an adviser on Ukraine, may to return to the Defense Department, according to the administration officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity .
They described it as part of an an effort to reduce the size of the NSC’s staff and said Trump could announce a decision as early as Friday.
In a White House event to celebrate his acquittal, Trump lashed out at “evil” people and “scum” he blamed for his impeachment. In a speech that often meandered, he at one point made a vague reference to Vindman and his twin brother Yevgeny Vindman.
On Twitter Friday, the president re-tweeted statements in November by a television commentator – Tom Fitton, president of the conservative organization Judicial Watch – who said Vindman should not be allowed to stay at the NSC.
Vindman was among several aides who listened to Trump’s July 25 call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. He reported his concerns that Trump requested investigations of Biden and his son Hunter, who had business interests in the country, and in November testified about the matter to the House Intelligence Committee during the impeachment inquiry.
News on Vindman’s imminent dismissal drew accusations of retaliation.
“All public servants of integrity at are risk with a vindictive president, enabling cabinet, and complicit Senate,” tweeted Barb McQuade, a former prosecutor who teaches law at the University of Michigan. “I hope they will do their duty anyway. Thanks for doing yours, Lt. Col. Vindman.”