Alexander Vindman: Key impeachment witness to retire from army over 'intimidation' led by Trump
A key witness in the impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump is retiring from the US army after 21 years of service, citing a “campaign of bullying” from the White House.
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman earned the ire of his former boss after he testified about a phone call between the president and his Ukrainian counterpart, during which Mr Trump pushed the country to investigate his political opponent, Joe Biden.
Mr Trump later fired Lt. Col. Vindman, a top expert on Ukraine, from his position on the National Security Council.
"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," his attorney, Amb. David Pressman said in a statement to CNN.
The statement said that LTC Vindman had been the victim of a "campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation" led by Mr Trump. It added that LTC Vindman "did what the law compelled him to do; and for that he was bullied by the President and his proxies."
More follows…
