Tuesday’s Impeachment hearings included testimony by Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, one of the people listening on the call between Trump and President Zelensky. Worried about backlash, Vindman has been provided with security assistance from the U.S. Army.
Col. Kathy Turner discussed the assistance in a written statement saying the Army was giving support to help deal with “the public attention.” She went on to say:
“As a matter of practice, the Army would neither confirm nor deny any safety or security measures taken on behalf of an individual; however, as we would with any Soldier, the army will work with civilian authorities to ensure that he and his family are properly protected.”
In his opening statement before the committee, Vindman addressed his father, an immigrant from the Soviet Union who was worried about his son testifying:
“Dad, I’m sitting here today in the U.S. Capitol, talking to our elected professionals, talking to our elected professionals is proof that you made the right decision 40 years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to the United States of America in search of a better life for our family. Do not worry. I will be fine for telling the truth.”
Since testifying, Vindman has been targeted by the President. Trump retweeted at least 10 posts on Tuesday that questioned the motives and character of this decorated soldier with a Purple Heart.
Don Jr. also jumped aboard the smear campaign:
Anyone listening to Vindman stammer through this seemingly trying to remember the Catch Phrases he was well coached on should get that.
He’s a low level partisan bureaucrat and nothing more. https://t.co/5KobcaJKgL
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 19, 2019
Late-night host, Jimmy Kimmel, called out “DJTJ” for daring to attack a “Lt. Col with a purple heart.” Kimmel calls Don Jr. the “third favorite son” and says “Daddy Bonespurs must be very proud of him.”
Vindman acknowledged the disparaging posts that have popped up all over social media, by the President and others. He also commended the other witnesses for their courage in testifying despite the online attacks:
“I want to state that the character of attacks on these distinguished and honorable public servants is reprehensible. It is natural to disagree and engage in spirited debate. This has been the custom of our country since the time of our founding fathers, but we are better than personal attacks.”
Siri, show me the Venn diagram of people who burned their Nikes because Colin Kaepernick disrespected the military and people smearing Lt. Colonel Vindman. 🧐
— Jennifer Mendelsohn 🇺🇸 (@CleverTitleTK) November 20, 2019