Lt. Col. Alexander VindmanAlexander VindmanThe Hill’s Morning Report — AG Barr, GOP senators try to rein Trump in John Bolton defends John Kelly after Trump criticism Ocasio-Cortez blasts Trump as ‘corrupt’ for blocking Global Entry for New Yorkers MORE, who provided damaging testimony during President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump declares war on hardworking Americans with new budget request Avenatti found guilty in Nike extortion trial First, we’ll neuter all the judges MORE’s impeachment, is not being investigated by the Army, the service’s top civilian said Friday.
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthyRyan McCarthyOvernight Defense: Senate votes to rein in Trump war powers on Iran | Pentagon shifting .8B to border wall | US, Taliban negotiate seven-day ‘reduction in violence’ Trump’s 355-ship pledge complicates the Navy’s budget dilemma Overnight Defense: War powers fight runs into impeachment | Kaine has 51 votes for Iran resolution | Trump plans to divert .2B from Pentagon to border wall MORE’s comments come days after Trump suggested the military discipline Vindman for his testimony during the House’s impeachment inquiry.
“There’s no investigation into him,” McCarthy said at the National Press Club.
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A week ago, Vindman and his twin brother, who did not testify during the impeachment process, were escorted from the White House, where they had been working as National Security Council staffers.
Then on Tuesday, Trump raised the possibility the Army would “take a look” at Vindman.
“We sent him on his way to a much different location, and the military can handle him any way they want,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Asked specifically if the Pentagon should pursue further action against Vindman, Trump said it would be “up to the military.”
“But if you look at what happened, they’re going to certainly, I would imagine, take a look at that,” Trump added.
The comments raised fears of military punishment for Vindman despite Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperUS service member killed in non-combat incident in Africa The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump insists he can tweet about cases in rare break with Barr US military preparing for potential coronavirus pandemic: report MORE suggesting earlier there would be none.
“We protect all of our persons, service members, from retribution or anything like that. We’ve already addressed that in policy and other means,” Esper told reporters at the Pentagon hours before Vindman was removed from his National Security Council job.
On Friday, McCarthy downplayed Vindman’s removal from the National Security Council, saying he had been scheduled to leave the job in May or June anyway.
Right now, Vindman has a “bridging assignment” working at Army Department headquarters “for a few months” until he attends as “senior service college this summer,” McCarthy added.
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