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'{{short description|US Army officer (born 1975)}} {{use American English|date=January 2020}} {{use mdy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Alexander Vindman | image = Alexander Vindman.png | birth_name = Александр Семёнович Виндман<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-50230821|title=Подполковник Виндман выступил против Трампа. Почему это важно?|newspaper=BBC News Русская Служба}}</ref><br/>Alexander Semyonovich Vindman | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|6|6}} | birth_place = [[Kyiv]], [[Ukrainian SSR]], [[Soviet Union]] (now [[Ukraine]]) | death_date = | death_place = | education = [[Binghamton University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br/>[[Harvard University]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]]) | allegiance = {{flag|United States}} | branch = {{army|United States}} | serviceyears = 1999–2020 | rank = [[File:US-O5 insignia.svg|15px]] [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]] | battles = [[Iraq War]] | mawards = [[File:Legion of Merit ribbon.png|23px]] [[Legion of Merit]]<br/>[[File:Purple Heart ribbon.svg|border|23px]] [[Purple Heart]]<br/>[[File:Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|border|23px]] [[Defense Meritorious Service Medal]] (2)<br/>[[File:Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|border|23px]] [[Army Commendation Medal]] (4)<br/>[[File:Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|border|23px]] [[Army Achievement Medal]] (2)<br/>[[File:Valorous Unit Award ribbon.svg|border|23px]] [[Valorous Unit Award|Army Valorous Unit Award]]<br/>[[File:Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg|23px]] [[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]]<br/> [[File:Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|border|23px]] [[Navy Unit Commendation]]<br/>[[File:Presidential Unit Citation (South Korea).svg|border|23px]] [[Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation]] | office = [[United States National Security Council|Director for European Affairs for the United States National Security Council]] | termstart = July 2018 | termend = February 7, 2020 | president = [[Donald Trump]] }} '''Alexander Semyon Vindman''' ([[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]]: Алекса́ндр Семёнович Ві́ндман; born June 6, 1975)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-panels-hear-officialsconcerns-about-trumps-ukraine-call-11572357591 |first1=Dustin |last1=Volz |first2=Andrew |last2=Restuccia |first3=Siobhan |last3=Hughes |title=Parties Spar Over White House Aide in Combative Impeachment Hearing|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=October 29, 2019 |access-date=October 29, 2019}}</ref> is a retired [[United States Army]] [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] who was the Director for European Affairs for the [[United States National Security Council]] (NSC) until he was reassigned on February 7, 2020. Vindman came to national attention in October 2019 when he testified before the [[United States Congress]] regarding the [[Trump–Ukraine scandal]]. His testimony provided evidence that resulted in a charge of [[abuse of power]] in the [[First impeachment of Donald Trump|impeachment of Donald Trump]]. Commissioned in 1999 as an [[Infantry Branch (United States)|infantry officer]], Vindman received a [[Purple Heart]] medal for wounds he received from an [[Improvised explosive device|IED attack]] in the [[Iraq War]] in 2004.<ref name=ArmyTimes /><ref name="NYTWhoIs" /> Vindman became a [[foreign area officer]] specializing in [[Eurasia]] in 2008, and assumed the position of Director for European Affairs with the NSC in 2018. In July 2020, Vindman retired after 21 years in the military. He cited vengeful behavior and bullying by President Trump and administration officials after he complied with a subpoena to testify in front of Congress during Trump's impeachment hearings. At the time of his retirement, Vindman's promotion to the rank of colonel had been abnormally stalled by the administration.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Vindman, Key Impeachment Witness, Retires Over 'Bullying, Intimidation' By Trump|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/08/888933684/lt-col-vindman-witness-in-trump-impeachment-is-retiring-from-military|access-date=2020-07-11|newspaper=NPR|date=July 8, 2020|language=en|last1=Wamsley|first1=Laurel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2020|title=Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman retires, citing campaign of 'bullying' and 'retaliation' by Trump after impeachment testimony|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/lt-col-alexander-vindman-retires-citing-campaign-of-bullying-intimidation-and-retaliation-by-trump/2020/07/08/934bc6ba-c12e-11ea-864a-0dd31b9d6917_story.html}}</ref> In February 2022, he sued several Trump allies, alleging that they had intimidated and retaliated against him while he testified in Congress.<ref name="lawsuit">{{cite news |last=Wang |first=Amy B |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Alexander Vindman sues Trump Jr. and Giuliani, alleging retaliation over first Trump impeachment proceedings|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/02/alexander-vindman-sues-trump-jr-giuliani-retaliation-over-first-trump-impeachment-trial/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=February 3, 2022 }}</ref> Vindman is the first [[Jew|Jewish]] transvestite, pedophile and schizophrenic to enter high office in the [[United States Army]]. == Early life and education == Alexander Semyon Vindman (''né'' Aleksandr Semyonovich Vindman) and his identical twin brother [[Yevgeny Vindman|Yevgeny]] were born in the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic]], [[Soviet Union]] to a [[History of the Jews in Ukraine|Jewish family]].<ref name="NYTWhoIs">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/29/us/politics/who-is-alexander-vindman.html |title=Who Is Alexander Vindman? A Ukrainian Refugee Turned White House Official Testifies in the Impeachment Inquiry |last=Stolberg |first=Sheryl Gay |date=October 29, 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 29, 2019 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=Shimron>{{Cite web|first=Yonat |last=Shimron |title=Why are so many players in the impeachment trial Jewish? |website=[[Religion News Service]]|date=November 13, 2019 |url=https://religionnews.com/2019/11/13/why-are-so-many-players-in-the-impeachment-trial-jewish/ |quote=In fact, Vindman, Parnas, and Fruman were able to immigrate to the U.S. precisely because they are Jewish.}}</ref> After the death of their mother, the three-year-old twins and their older brother, Leonid, were brought to New York in December 1979 by their father, Semyon (Simon). They grew up in [[Brooklyn]]'s [[Brighton Beach]] neighborhood. The twins appear briefly with their maternal grandmother in the [[Ken Burns]] [[Documentary film|documentary]] ''[[The Statue of Liberty (film)|The Statue of Liberty]]''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ken|last=Burns|title=Arrival|website=[[PBS]]|access-date=November 19, 2019|url=https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/unum/explore-timeline?film=statue-of-liberty&clip=808}}</ref><ref name="NYTWhoIs" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jta.org/2019/11/06/culture/a-jewish-photographer-has-been-capturing-alexander-vindman-and-his-twin-for-nearly-4-decades|title=A Jewish photographer has been capturing Alexander Vindman and his twin for nearly 4 decades|last=Dolsten|first=Josefin|date=November 6, 2019 |website=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |language=en-US|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref> Vindman speaks fluent Russian and Ukrainian.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/us/politics/Alexander-Vindman-trump-impeachment.html|access-date = December 12, 2019|title = Army Officer Who Heard Trump's Ukraine Call Reported Concerns|newspaper = The New York Times|date = October 29, 2019|last1 = Hakim|first1 = Danny|archive-date = December 10, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191210131635/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/us/politics/Alexander-Vindman-trump-impeachment.html|url-status = live}}</ref> He graduated in 1993 from [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School (New York City)|Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramirez |first=Jeanine |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/brooklyn/news/2019/11/20/brooklyn-raised-lt--col--alexander-vindman-offers-compelling-testimony-in-impeachment-hearings |title=Before His Impeachment Testimony, a Lieutenant Colonel Was Raised in Brooklyn |work=[[NY1]] |date=November 19, 2019 |access-date=December 1, 2019 |quote=Vindman graduated from FDR High School in Bensonhurst in 1993, then went on to SUNY Binghamton and the Army, earning a Purple Heart after a roadside bombing in Iraq. |archive-date=November 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121212624/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/brooklyn/news/2019/11/20/brooklyn-raised-lt--col--alexander-vindman-offers-compelling-testimony-in-impeachment-hearings |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1999, Vindman graduated from the [[Binghamton University|State University of New York at Binghamton]] with a bachelor of arts degree in history.<ref name=ArmyTimes>{{cite web|first=Kyle|last=Rempfer|url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/10/29/purple-heart-ranger-tab-fao-meet-the-army-officer-testifying-about-trumps-ukraine-call/|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20191119174608/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/10/29/purple-heart-ranger-tab-fao-meet-the-army-officer-testifying-about-trumps-ukraine-call/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 19, 2019|title=Purple Heart, Ranger tab, FAO: Meet the Army officer testifying about Trump's Ukraine|work=Army Times|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=October 29, 2019}}</ref><ref name="NYTWhoIs" /><ref>{{cite news |date=May 16, 1999 |title=Binghamton University Graduates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83036439/binghamton-graduates/ |work=[[Press & Sun-Bulletin]] |location=Binghamton, NY |page=16A |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He took part in the [[Reserve Officers' Training Corps]] while in college and received a second lieutenant's commission in the Army's [[Infantry Branch (United States)|Infantry Branch]] in January 1999.<ref name=ArmyTimes /> He later received a master of arts degree from [[Harvard University]] in [[Russian studies|Russian]], Eastern European and [[Central Asian studies]].<ref name="NYTWhoIs" /> ==Career== Vindman completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course (IOBC) at [[Fort Benning]] in 1999 and was sent the next year to [[South Korea]], where he led both infantry and [[Anti-tank warfare|anti-armor]] [[platoon]]s.<ref name="NYTWhoIs" /> In addition to overseas assignments to South Korea and Germany, Vindman is a combat veteran of the [[Iraq War]], and he served in Iraq from September 2004 to September 2005.<ref name=ArmyTimes /> In October 2004,<ref name=ArmyTimes /> he sustained an injury from a [[Improvised explosive device|roadside bomb]] in Iraq, for which he received a [[Purple Heart]].<ref name="NYTWhoIs" /> He was promoted to the rank of major in 2008,<ref>{{cite report |work=[[Congressional Record]] Online |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |page=S8894 |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2008/09/16/senate-section/article/S8890-5 |title=Nominations |date=September 16, 2008 |volume=154 |number=147 |access-date=November 9, 2019 }}</ref> and to lieutenant colonel in September 2015.<ref>{{Cite report |work=[[Congressional Record]] Online |publisher=[[Government Publishing Office]] |title=Nominations |date=September 8, 2015 |volume=161 |number=128 |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2015/09/08/senate-section/article/S6469-6 |page=S6471 |access-date=October 30, 2019}}</ref> During his Army career, Vindman earned the [[Ranger tab|Ranger Tab]], [[Combat Infantryman Badge]], [[Expert Infantryman Badge]], and [[Parachutist Badge (United States)|Parachutist Badge]], as well as four [[Army Commendation Medal]]s and two [[Defense Meritorious Service Medal]]s.<ref name=ArmyTimes/> Beginning in 2008, Vindman became a Foreign Area Officer specializing in Eurasia. In this capacity he served in the U.S. embassies in [[Kyiv]], [[Ukraine]], and [[Moscow]], [[Russia]]. Returning to Washington, D.C. he was then a politico-military affairs officer focused on Russia for the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]]. Vindman was on the [[Joint Staff]] at the Pentagon from September 2015 to July 2018.<ref name=ArmyTimes /> ===National Security Council=== [[File:Volodymyr Zelensky 2019 presidential inauguration 39 cropped.jpg|thumb|Vindman (far left) at the 2019 inauguration of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky]] In July 2018, Vindman accepted an assignment with the National Security Council.<ref name=opening>{{Cite news |publisher=NPR |title=Ukraine Expert Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman's Opening Statement |date=October 28, 2019 |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/28/774256868/read-ukraine-expert-lt-col-alexander-vindmans-opening-statement |first=Amita |last=Kelly |access-date=November 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102135707/https://www.npr.org/2019/10/28/774256868/read-ukraine-expert-lt-col-alexander-vindmans-opening-statement |url-status=live }}</ref> In his role on the NSC, Vindman became part of the U.S. delegation at the inauguration of Ukraine's newly elected President, [[Volodymyr Zelensky]]. The five-member delegation, led by [[Rick Perry]], [[United States Secretary of Energy]], also included [[Kurt Volker]], then U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations; [[Gordon Sondland]], [[United States Ambassador to the European Union]]; and Joseph Pennington, then acting [[chargé d'affaires]].<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-announces-presidential-delegation-attend-inauguration-excellency-volodymyr-zelenskyy-president-ukraine/ |title=President Donald J. Trump Announces Presidential Delegation to Attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine |date=May 18, 2019 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120201815/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-announces-presidential-delegation-attend-inauguration-excellency-volodymyr-zelenskyy-president-ukraine/ |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |work=[[The Ukrainian Weekly]] |title=President Zelensky addresses heads of foreign delegations |volume=LXXXVII |number=22 |page=3 |date=June 2, 2019 |url=http://www.ukrweekly.com/uwwp/wp-content/uploads/current-pdf/The_Ukrainian_Weekly_2019-22.pdf |access-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029005440/http://www.ukrweekly.com/uwwp/wp-content/uploads/current-pdf/The_Ukrainian_Weekly_2019-22.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Vindman was subpoenaed to testify before Congressional investigators on October 29, 2019, as part of the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]]' [[impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump]].<ref>{{Cite news |publisher=CNN |title=White House Ukraine expert expected to testify about possible knowledge of Trump-Zelensky call |date=October 28, 2019 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/28/politics/alexander-vindman-nsc-impeachment-testimony/index.html |first1=Zachary |last1=Cohen |first2=Jake |last2=Tapper |first3=Paul |last3=LeBlanc |access-date=November 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103002608/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/28/politics/alexander-vindman-nsc-impeachment-testimony/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |work=The Wall Street Journal |title=House to Vote on a Road Map for Its Impeachment Inquiry |date=October 28, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/impeachment-witness-fails-to-appear-waits-for-court-ruling-11572280661 |first1=Natalie |last1=Andrews |first2=Byron |last2=Tau |access-date=November 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101012859/https://www.wsj.com/articles/impeachment-witness-fails-to-appear-waits-for-court-ruling-11572280661 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is the first White House official to testify who was actually on [[Trump–Ukraine scandal|a July 25, 2019, telephone call]] between President Trump and Ukrainian President [[Volodymyr Zelensky]], in which Trump asked Zelensky to investigate former Vice President [[Joe Biden]], who was campaigning for President. Based on his opening statement, obtained in advance by ''[[The New York Times]]'', Vindman's testimony corroborates previous testimony from [[Fiona Hill (presidential advisor)|Fiona Hill]], his former manager, and [[William B. Taylor Jr.]], acting Ambassador to Ukraine.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |title=White House official to tell impeachment investigators he feared President Trump's demands of Ukraine would undermine national security |date=October 28, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/white-house-official-to-tell-impeachment-investigators-he-feared-trumps-demands-of-ukraine-would-undermine-national-security/2019/10/28/0fc8ab46-f9f1-11e9-ac8c-8eced29ca6ef_story.html |first=Greg |last=Jaffe |access-date=November 3, 2019 |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031211901/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/white-house-official-to-tell-impeachment-investigators-he-feared-trumps-demands-of-ukraine-would-undermine-national-security/2019/10/28/0fc8ab46-f9f1-11e9-ac8c-8eced29ca6ef_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 28, 2019, Vindman's opening statement to a closed session of the [[United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence|House Intelligence Committee]], [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs|House Foreign Affairs Committee]], and [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform|House Oversight Committee]] was released, ahead of his testimony the following day. Vindman testified that: "In Spring of 2019, I became aware of outside influencers promoting a false and alternative narrative of Ukraine inconsistent with the consensus views of the interagency," which was "harmful to U.S. national security" and also "undermined U.S. Government efforts to expand cooperation with Ukraine."<ref name=opening/> [[File:Opening Statement of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Vindman.pdf|thumb|Opening Statement of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Vindman Before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform October 29, 2019 (released October 28, 2019)]] Vindman states that, additionally, he was concerned by two events, both of which he objected to with senior officials in real time, and which he reported to the National Security Council's lead attorney. The first event occurred at a July 10 meeting between Ukraine's then [[National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine|Secretary of National Security and Defense Council]] [[Oleksandr Danylyuk]], and then [[National Security Advisor (United States)|US National Security Advisor]] [[John Bolton]], at which Ambassadors [[Kurt Volker|Volker]] and [[Gordon Sondland|Sondland]], and Energy Secretary [[Rick Perry]] were in attendance, and at which Sondland asked Ukraine to launch investigations into the [[Joe Biden|Bidens]] in order to get a meeting with President Trump. Vindman states that Bolton cut the meeting short, and that both Vindman and Hill told Ambassador Sondland that his comments were inappropriate and reported their concerns to the NSC's lead counsel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/read-national-security-official-alexander-s-vindman-s-prepared-remarks-n1073156|date=October 29, 2019|title=Read national security official Alexander S. Vindman's prepared remarks to Congress|website=NBC News|language=en|access-date=October 29, 2019|archive-date=October 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029191532/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/read-national-security-official-alexander-s-vindman-s-prepared-remarks-n1073156|url-status=live}}</ref> {{Trump-Ukraine scandal}} The second event occurred on a July 25 phone call between Presidents Trump and Zelensky. Vindman states, "I was concerned by the call. 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. I realized that if Ukraine pursued an investigation into the Bidens and Burisma, it would likely be interpreted as a partisan play which would undoubtedly result in Ukraine losing the bipartisan support it has thus far maintained. This would all undermine U.S. national security." Vindman also stated that he reported his concern to the NSC's lead counsel, [[John Eisenberg]].<ref name=opening/> Vindman later testified in person before the US House of Representatives on November 19, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/18/who-is-alexander-vindman-why-does-his-public-testimony-matter/ |title=Who is Alexander Vindman and why does his public testimony matter? |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119062059/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/18/who-is-alexander-vindman-why-does-his-public-testimony-matter/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In his testimony, Vindman stated that he made a report to an intelligence official about what he heard during Trump's call with the Ukrainian President and felt what the President mentioned during the phone conversation was "improper."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/19/impeachment-hearings-live-highlights-and-updates-071459 |title=Impeachment hearings: Live highlights from Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams' testimony |publisher=Politico |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119173843/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/19/impeachment-hearings-live-highlights-and-updates-071459 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/lt-col-alexander-vindman-reveals-in-testimony-that-he-told-an-intelligence-official-about-trumps-call-with-ukrainian-leader/2019/11/19/61c46b16-0ae4-11ea-8397-a955cd542d00_story.html |title=Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman reveals in testimony that he told an intelligence official about Trump's call with Ukrainian leader |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119181356/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/lt-col-alexander-vindman-reveals-in-testimony-that-he-told-an-intelligence-official-about-trumps-call-with-ukrainian-leader/2019/11/19/61c46b16-0ae4-11ea-8397-a955cd542d00_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> {{external media| float = left | video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?466376-1/impeachment-hearing-lt-col-vindman-jennifer-williams Testimony of Vindman and Jennifer Williams to the House Intelligence Committee, November 19, 2019], [[C-SPAN]]}} Because of his testimony, Vindman was denounced by Trump and repeatedly attacked by Republican lawmakers and television commentators. As a result, he reached out to the Army regarding his and his family's safety.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/19/politics/vindman-trump-attack-army-safety/index.html|title=Alexander Vindman has reached out to Army about his family's safety amid attacks by Trump and GOP lawmakers|last=Browne|first=Ryan|date=November 19, 2019|work=CNN|access-date=November 19, 2019|archive-date=November 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119210437/https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/19/politics/vindman-trump-attack-army-safety/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In his opening statement, Vindman assured his father that he had made the right decision in emigrating from the Soviet Union to the United States. Vindman stated, "In Russia, my act of ... offering public testimony involving the President would surely cost me my life. I am grateful for my father's brave act of hope 40 years ago and for the privilege of being an American citizen and public servant, where I can live free of fear for mine {{sic}} and my family's safety. Dad, my sitting here today, in the U.S. Capitol talking to our elected officials is proof that you made the right decision forty years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to United States of America in search of a better life for our family. Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/19/us/politics/vindman-statement-testimony.html|title=Read Alexander Vindman's Prepared Opening Statement From the Impeachment Hearing|date=November 19, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 2, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102025001/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/19/us/politics/vindman-statement-testimony.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 7, 2020, Vindman told NSC colleagues he expected to leave the White House's National Security Council to return to the Department of Defense.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/06/politics/alexander-vindman-white-house-national-security-council/index.html|title=Key impeachment witness expects to leave White House post in coming weeks|first=Kaitlan|last=Collins|website=CNN|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=February 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207051009/https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/06/politics/alexander-vindman-white-house-national-security-council/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Trump had earlier implied he might remove Vindman from his post.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/07/trump-may-oust-alexander-vindman-aide-who-testified-impeachment/4688662002/|title=Trump says 'not happy' with Vindman, confirms he might be removed from White House job|last=Shesgreen|first=David Jackson and Deirdre|website=USA Today|language=en-US|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=February 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207211446/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/07/trump-may-oust-alexander-vindman-aide-who-testified-impeachment/4688662002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that day Vindman was escorted out of the White House, according to his attorney. His twin brother, Lieutenant Colonel Yevgeny Vindman, was also escorted off the White House grounds at the same time. Both were slated for reassignment within the Army.<ref name="VindmanFired">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/us/politics/alexander-vindman-white-house.html|title=Impeachment Witness Alexander Vindman Fired From the White House|date=February 7, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=February 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207232232/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/us/politics/alexander-vindman-white-house.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequent news reports indicated that Vindman had been chosen to attend the in-residence course at the [[United States Army War College]] during its 2020-2021 session.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gitt |first=Tammie |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Lt. Col. Vindman is part of this summer's incoming U.S. Army War College class |url=https://cumberlink.com/news/local/communities/carlisle/lt-col-vindman-is-part-of-this-summer-s-incoming/article_41596325-9bdf-55ad-acb0-f9513695cefa.html |work=[[The Sentinel (Pennsylvania)|The Sentinel]] |location=Carlisle, PA |access-date=February 11, 2020 |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210210651/https://cumberlink.com/news/local/communities/carlisle/lt-col-vindman-is-part-of-this-summer-s-incoming/article_41596325-9bdf-55ad-acb0-f9513695cefa.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 10, 2020, Senate Minority Leader [[Chuck Schumer]] (D-NY) sent a letter in an apparent response to the firing of the two brothers that requested federal Inspectors General investigate possible retaliation against "anyone who has made, or in the future makes, protected disclosures of presidential misconduct."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whistleblowers-retaliation-inspectors-general-investigate-sen-schumer/|title=Schumer calls on inspectors general to investigate retaliation against whistleblowers|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en|access-date=2020-07-09|archive-date=March 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317112939/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whistleblowers-retaliation-inspectors-general-investigate-sen-schumer/|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 13, Trump's former chief of staff, retired Marine General [[John F. Kelly|John Kelly]], defended Vindman's actions and testimony. "He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave. He went and told his boss what he just heard," Kelly said.<ref>American Military News, "Gen. John Kelly: Vindman 'did exactly what we teach;' was right to testify in Trump impeachment" Feb 13, 2020 [https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/02/gen-john-kelly-vindman-did-exactly-what-we-teach-was-right-to-testify-in-trump-impeachment/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214031718/https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/02/gen-john-kelly-vindman-did-exactly-what-we-teach-was-right-to-testify-in-trump-impeachment/ |date=February 14, 2020 }}</ref> During a panel discussion held on February 11, 2020, at the [[Atlantic Council]], the president's [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]], [[Robert C. O'Brien (attorney)|Robert C. O'Brien]] said that it was his decision to transfer both Vindman brothers back to the Army for re-assignment and denied that the move was ordered by Trump in retaliation for Vindman's testimony. "I can absolutely tell you that they were not retaliated against", O'Brien told the panel. O'Brien also disputed the move as being characterized as "fired" since both brothers remain on active duty. O'Brien noted that their transfer was part of a larger NSA staff reduction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Restuccia |first1=Andrew |title=Official Defends Vindman Removal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/obrien-says-vindman-removal-wasnt-retaliation-for-impeachment-inquiry-comments-11581469686?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1 |access-date=15 February 2020 |issue=Page A6 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=February 12, 2020 |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209190933/https://www.wsj.com/articles/obrien-says-vindman-removal-wasnt-retaliation-for-impeachment-inquiry-comments-11581469686?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> His remarks contradicted Trump, who tweeted that he had ousted Vindman for insubordination and for doing "a lot of bad things."<ref>{{cite web | last1=Brook | first1=Tom Vanden | last2=Today | first2=Usa | title=Army Secretary: No investigation into Vindman, Army aide and impeachment witness fired by Trump | website=USA TODAY | date=2020-02-14 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/14/vindman-impeachment-witness-no-investigation-despite-trump-firing/4763844002/ | access-date=2022-02-15}}</ref> ==Retirement and post-military career== On July 2, 2020, Senator [[Tammy Duckworth]] announced her intention to block Senate confirmation of over one thousand military promotions unless defense secretary [[Mark Esper]] provided written confirmation that the Trump administration would not block Vindman's promotion to [[colonel]].<ref>USA Today, July 3, 2020, "Sen. Duckworth says she will block over 1,100 military promotions until Pentagon protects impeachment witness Vindman," [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/07/03/sen-duckworth-block-over-1-100-promotions-protect-vindman/5371110002/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703173159/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/07/03/sen-duckworth-block-over-1-100-promotions-protect-vindman/5371110002/ |date=July 3, 2020 }}</ref> Less than a week later, Vindman announced through his lawyer that he would be retiring from the U.S. military. Vindman's lawyer, [[David Pressman]], described "a campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation" by the Trump administration as the reason for his client's retirement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Missy |last2=Harris |first2=Shane |date=July 8, 2020 |title=Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman retires, citing campaign of 'bullying' and 'retaliation' by Trump after impeachment testimony |url=https://washingtonpost.com/national-security/lt-col-alexander-vindman-retires-citing-campaign-of-bullying-intimidation-and-retaliation-by-trump/2020/07/08/934bc6ba-c12e-11ea-864a-0dd31b9d6917_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=July 8, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wamsley |first=Laurel |date=July 8, 2020 |title=Lt. Col. Vindman, Witness In Trump Impeachment, Is Retiring From Military |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/08/888933684/lt-col-vindman-witness-in-trump-impeachment-is-retiring-from-military |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708155744/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/08/888933684/lt-col-vindman-witness-in-trump-impeachment-is-retiring-from-military |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Sciutto |first=Jim |date=July 8, 2020 |title=Exclusive: Vindman to retire from military. His lawyer blames White House 'campaign of bullying, intimidation and retaliation' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/08/politics/vindman-retiring-alleged-white-house-retaliation/index.html |work=[[CNN]] |access-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708161328/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/08/politics/vindman-retiring-alleged-white-house-retaliation/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2020, Vindman joined the staff of the national security blog [[Lawfare (blog)|''Lawfare'']] with a fellowship of the Pritzker Military Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-13|title=Alexander Vindman Joins the Lawfare Team|url=https://www.lawfareblog.com/alexander-vindman-joins-lawfare-team|access-date=2020-11-23|website=Lawfare|language=en|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123225743/https://www.lawfareblog.com/alexander-vindman-joins-lawfare-team|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, he is pursuing a [[Ph.D.]] in [[international affairs]] at [[Johns Hopkins University]]'s [[Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies]], with an expected completion date in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alexander Vindman|website=LinkedIn|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-vindman-11340280|archive-url=https://archive.today/20211109141941/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-vindman-11340280|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2021}}</ref> On August 1, 2020, Vindman authored an opinion piece in the ''Washington Post'' addressing his retirement.<ref>Vindman, Alexander, "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/01/alexander-vindman-retiring-oped/ "Alexander Vindman: Coming forward ended my career. I still believe doing what's right matters."], ''[[The Washington Post]]'', August 1, 2020.</ref> On February 2, 2022, Vindman sued several Trump allies, alleging that they intimidated and retaliated against him while he testified in Congress, and thereby violated the [[Ku Klux Klan Act]] of 1871. The defendants in the lawsuit are [[Donald Trump Jr.]], [[Rudy Giuliani]], former White House deputy chief of staff [[Dan Scavino]], and former White House deputy communications director [[Julia Hahn]].<ref name="lawsuit" /> == Personal life == Vindman is married to Rachel Vindman, née Cartmill.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://heavy.com/news/2019/10/alexander-vindman-family-wife-parents-brother/|title=Alexander Vindman's Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|last=McBride|first=Jessica|website=HEAVY|date=October 29, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205130651/https://heavy.com/news/2019/10/alexander-vindman-family-wife-parents-brother/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, Vindman and his wife Rachel appeared in an advertisement created by [[The Lincoln Project]] supporting [[Joe Biden]]'s presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jacobs |first1=Ben |title=Alexander Vindman's Wife Accuses Trump of Threatening Their Family |date=October 16, 2020 |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/10/alexander-vindman-wife-rachel-says-trump-threatened-family.html |access-date=16 October 2020 |archive-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016225431/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/10/alexander-vindman-wife-rachel-says-trump-threatened-family.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The couple has one daughter, born in 2011. His identical twin brother, Yevgeny S. "Eugene" Vindman, is an Army colonel and [[Judge Advocate General's Corps, United States Army|JAG Officer]] who was assigned as an attorney on the [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council staff]] handling ethics issues, until he was dismissed from that post on February 7, 2020, the same time as Alexander was removed from his NSC post;<ref name="NYTWhoIs" /><ref name="ABCN20191029">{{Cite news |last1=Siu |first1=Benjamin |title=Who is Alexander Vindman, the Army officer defying the White House to testify about Trump's Ukraine call? |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/alexander-vindman-army-officer-defying-white-house-testify/story?id=66610499 |access-date=October 29, 2019 |agency=ABC News |date=October 29, 2019 |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029235449/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/alexander-vindman-army-officer-defying-white-house-testify/story?id=66610499 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="VindmanFired"/> Yevgeny was promoted by the Biden administration to colonel on March 16, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/fired-trump-white-house-brother-impeachment-witness-vindman-now-says-n1261166|title=Army promotes Yevgeny Vindman, brother of impeachment witness|website=[[NBC News]]}}</ref> The Defense Department inspector general found in May 2022 that the Trump administration unlawfully retaliated against Yevgeny for his role in revealing the [[Trump-Ukraine scandal]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rohrlich |first1=Justin |title=Trump Illegally Retaliated Against Yevgeny Vindman, DoD Watchdog Says |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-illegally-retaliated-against-ukraine-aid-whistleblower-yevgeny-vindman-dod-inspector-general-says |work=The Daily Beast |date=May 18, 2022}}</ref> Vindman has an older brother, Leonid Vindman, who also served as an Army officer.<ref name="ABCN20191029" /> Vindman appeared in "[[List of Curb Your Enthusiasm episodes#Season 11 (2021)|The Mormon Advantage]]", the finale of the 11th season of ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'', in December 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/a-whistleblower-brings-an-end-to-curb-your-enthusiasm-s-1848272563|title=A whistleblower brings an end to Curb Your Enthusiasm's 11th season|first=Danette|last=Chavez|work=The A.V. Club|date=December 27, 2021|accessdate=December 28, 2021}}</ref> == Military awards == At his retirement, Vindman received the [[Legion of Merit]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Vindman |first=Alexander S. |date=2021 |title=Here, Right Matters |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-94DEAAAQBAJ |location=New York, NY |publisher=HarperCollins |page=229 |isbn=978-0-0630-7944-1 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Vindman's additional awards and decorations include the [[Purple Heart]]; [[Defense Meritorious Service Medal]] with bronze [[oak leaf cluster]] (2nd award); [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]]; [[Army Commendation Medal]] with three oak leaf clusters (4th award); [[Army Achievement Medal]] with two oak leaf clusters (3rd award); [[National Defense Service Medal]]; [[Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal]]; [[Global War on Terrorism Service Medal]]; [[Korea Defense Service Medal]]; [[Army Service Ribbon]]; [[Overseas Service Ribbon]] (4th award); [[Valorous Unit Award]]; [[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]]; [[Navy Unit Commendation]]; [[National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation]]; and [[Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation]]. He is a recipient of the [[Combat Infantryman Badge]]; [[Expert Infantryman Badge]]; [[Ranger tab|Ranger Tab]]; [[Parachutist Badge (United States)|Basic Parachutist Badge]]; the [[Presidential Service Badge]]; and [[Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge|Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/vindman-military-record |title=Here's the military record of Lt. Col. Vindman, the soldier testifying at Trump's impeachment inquiry |work=[[Task & Purpose]] |first=Haley |last=Britzky |date=October 29, 2019 |access-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030165555/https://taskandpurpose.com/vindman-military-record |url-status=live }}</ref> {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" | style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Combat Infantry Badge.svg]] |- | style="text-align:center;"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-leaf|name=Legion of Merit ribbon|width=106}}{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|type=oak|width=106}}&nbsp;{{Ribbon devices|number=1|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|type=oak|width=106}} |- | style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|106x106px]]&nbsp;{{Ribbon devices|number=3|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|type=oak|width=106}}&nbsp;{{Ribbon devices|number=1|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|type=oak|width=106}} |- | style="text-align:center;"|[[File:National Defense Service Medal ribbon.png|106x106px]]&nbsp;[[File:Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|106x106px]]&nbsp;[[File:Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg|106x106px]] |- | style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Korea Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|106x106px]]&nbsp;[[File:Army Service Ribbon.svg|106x106px]]&nbsp;{{Ribbon devices|number=0|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|type=0|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top:0; left:-64px; display:inline-block; width:0;">[[File:Award numeral 5.png|20px]]</span> |- | style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Ranger Tab.svg|110px]][[File:US Army Airborne basic parachutist badge.gif|130px]] |- | style="text-align:center;"|[[File:US - Presidential Service Badge.png|177x177px]]&nbsp;[[File:Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg|191x191px]] |} ==Filmography== ===Television=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2021 | ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'' | Himself | Episode: "The Mormon Advantage" |} == See also == * [[First impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump]] == References == {{Reflist}} ==Works== * {{cite book |title=Here, Right Matters: An American Story |year=2021 |author=Alexander Vindman |publisher= Harper |isbn=978-0063079427}} ==External links== {{wikiquote}} *{{commons-inline|Alexander S. Vindman}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Vindman, Alexander}} [[Category:1975 births]] [[Category:United States Army personnel of the Iraq War]] [[Category:American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent]] [[Category:Binghamton University alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences alumni]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Brighton Beach]] [[Category:People from Brooklyn]] [[Category:Trump administration personnel]] [[Category:Trump–Ukraine scandal]] [[Category:Twin people from the United States]] [[Category:Soviet emigrants to the United States]] [[Category:United States Army officers]] [[Category:United States Department of Defense officials]] [[Category:United States National Security Council staffers]] [[Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)]] [[Category:Legionnaires of the Legion of Merit]]'