Sen. Tammy Duckworth Slams Esper for ‘Failure to Protect’ Vindman From Trump
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is prepared to block over 1,000 military promotions until Defense Secretary Mark Esper provides her a “transparent accounting” of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman’s situation. She had previously…
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is prepared to block over 1,000 military promotions until Defense Secretary Mark Esper provides her a “transparent accounting” of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman’s situation.
She had previously vowed to block the nominations until Esper confirmed in writing that he would not block the promotion of Vindman.
Vindman, a notable witness in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, announced his retirement from the Army on Wednesday.
His lawyer released a statement describing the “bullying” he endured from Trump.
“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,” the statement reads.
It continues, “Between honoring his oath or protecting his career. Between protecting his promotion or the promotion of his fellow soldiers. These are the choices that no one in the United States should confront, especially one who has dedicated his life to serving it.”
Duckworth released a statement of her own responding to Vindman’s decision to retire and claiming that Esper failed to protect him from the Trump administration.