For Immediate Release:
2/7/2020
White House Removes Impeachment Witness
Administration’s Actions Against Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman Could Create Chilling Effect
WASHINGTON – Today, CNN reported that Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was “pushed out of his role” from the National Security Council. The move comes just months after Lt. Col. Vindman testified in the impeachment investigation, providing key testimony on his concerns about Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Vindman’s forced exit follows another premature departure of an impeachment witness, Jennifer Williams. Williams “left Vice President Mike Pence’s office two months ahead of schedule.”
Government Accountability Project CEO and Executive Director Louis Clark stated:
“It is against the law to take reprisal actions against employees who testify before Congress. If Lt. Col. Vindman’s removal from the National Security Council is in response to his testimony during the impeachment proceedings, it could establish a troubling, unethical precedent. It is clear from recent Congressional hearings that Colonel Vindman is a patriot, a high performing and extraordinary employee, and a courageous truth-teller.”
Contact: Katie Miller, Deputy Director of Communications
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 457-0034 ext. 125
Government Accountability Project
Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.
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