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Colonel testifies he raised concerns about Ukraine, Trump
AP ^ | October 29th, 2019 | By LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and COLLEEN LONG

Posted on 10/29/2019 4:57:49 PM PDT by Mariner

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defying White House orders, an Army officer serving with President Donald Trump’s National Security Council testified to impeachment investigators Tuesday that he twice raised concerns over the administration’s push to have Ukraine investigate Democrats and Joe Biden.

Alexander Vindman, a lieutenant colonel who served in Iraq and later as a diplomat, is the first official to testify who actually heard Trump’s July 25 call with new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. He reported his concerns to the NSC’s lead counsel, he said in his prepared remarks.

His arrival in military blue, with medals , created a striking image at the Capitol as the impeachment inquiry reached deeper into the White House.

“I was concerned by the call,” Vindman said, according to his testimony obtained by The Associated Press. “I did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen, and I was worried about the implications for the U.S. government’s support of Ukraine.”

Vindman, a 20-year military officer, added to the mounting evidence from other witnesses -- diplomats, defense and former administration officials -- who are corroborating the initial whistleblower’s complaint against Trump and providing new details ahead of a House vote in the impeachment inquiry.

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alexandervindman; insubordination; militarylaw; ucmj; uml
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To: OldArmy52

He holds a commission as an officer at the pleasure of the President. The Commander in Chief can revoke it whenever he desires.


81 posted on 10/29/2019 10:05:27 PM PDT by GreyHoundSailor
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To: Parmy

He had at least one tour in Afghanistan as an infantry officer.


82 posted on 10/30/2019 12:52:30 AM PDT by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: jonrick46

And Vindman forgot that it is the President who makes foreign policy for this country, and not light colonels, such as himself.


83 posted on 10/30/2019 12:54:52 AM PDT by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: Mariner

20 yr pension signed, sealed and delivered.....and now a little face time on the media.....


84 posted on 10/30/2019 1:03:48 AM PDT by cherry
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To: Mariner

I wonder, is the Colonel openly gay?


85 posted on 10/30/2019 3:01:11 AM PDT by FroggyTheGremlim ( The following statement is false. The previous statement is true.)
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To: shelterguy

Rats hoping the visual colonel with an abundance of medals covering his uniform as he is marched into the chamber is going to make a difference. Col is hoping for a spot high up in the rat administration some day


86 posted on 10/30/2019 3:48:04 AM PDT by ronnie raygun (nic dip.com)
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To: Mariner

Is he even a CITIZEN???


87 posted on 10/30/2019 3:54:48 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: HotKat
He's a WAR HERO and he got the VAPORS over this Nothing Phone Call??? OMG!! GIRLY MAN DEMOCRAT!!

I would check his BANK ACCOUNT in a little while!

88 posted on 10/30/2019 3:58:12 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: lepton

Someone needs to ask him if he was “concerned” about OUR GOVT. SPYING on AMERICAN CITIZENS!


89 posted on 10/30/2019 4:00:13 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: GOPe Means Bend Over Spell Run

WHAT???


90 posted on 10/30/2019 4:02:20 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: GreyFriar

Isn’t this guy a native of Ukraine? Didn’t he come here in 2007? What side was he on in 2007? What side is he on today? Ukrainians are either pro Russia or pro Ukraine. Which is he?


91 posted on 10/30/2019 4:37:08 AM PDT by Captain Jack Aubrey (There's not a moment to lose.)
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To: GreyFriar

Sir, thank you for your service and thank for your insight on this issue.


92 posted on 10/30/2019 6:20:29 AM PDT by Batman11 ( The USA is not an ATM!)
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To: Captain Jack Aubrey

From what I have found out about him:

His parents brought him the the USA when he was 3 years old. I have not seen any mention of when he was born in the Ukraine, when it was part of the Soviet Union.

Based upon him being a LTC, he probably has about 20 years service, thus would have been an Army officer in 2007. I don’t know where he was assigned in 2007.

He was wounded in Iraq from an IED explosion and was awarded the Purple Heart. He has served tours in Germany, South Korea, and Moscow. I am guessing that he is a Foreign Area Officer, thus one who has been trained to be an Army attache in foreign countries.

I have no idea where his true loyalty lies.

I’m curious, why is the year 2007 significant for you in your posts? The only event I can think of is that is when the “Surge in Iraq” happened.


93 posted on 10/30/2019 6:45:36 AM PDT by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: Batman11

You’re welcome.


94 posted on 10/30/2019 6:46:14 AM PDT by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: hinckley buzzard

I’ve known numerous good LTC’s who received their promotion to full colonel after the 20 year mark. As one goes higher in the Army, the number of positions for the next higher rank declines quite rapidly. And I’ve known duds whom I was surprised that ever made LTC.


95 posted on 10/30/2019 6:49:58 AM PDT by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: GreyFriar; Parmy

Parmy,

Earlier I said he got the CIB from a tour in Afghanistan. I was in error, he served a combat tour in Iraq. I do not know the year.


96 posted on 10/30/2019 6:54:45 AM PDT by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: stylin19a
he tried

*** I wonder what the Col. can add as an ear witness that might be different or not included in the transcript ?? ***

Vindman testified that the transcript of the Ukraine call omitted key phrases, including a reference to Burisma, and that he tried to get it restored. https://t.co/PQ25N22Grd via @NYTimes— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) October 30, 2019


97 posted on 10/30/2019 8:57:07 AM PDT by stylin19a (2016 - Best.Election.Of.All.Times.Ever.In.The.History.Of.Ever)
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Comment #98 Removed by Moderator

To: GOPe Means Bend Over Spell Run

WHERE did he admit committing espionage for his home country, Ukraine????


99 posted on 10/30/2019 12:29:05 PM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: Mariner

Who cares what this asshole has to say? Who voted for him? He’s an Army Comey.


100 posted on 10/30/2019 6:20:15 PM PDT by angmo
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