Move FM Global News

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. President Donald Trump has wasted no time in firing two government officials who gave testimony at his impeachment trial.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman and Ambassador Gordon Sondland were both ousted on Friday.

There was no push-back from the two’s bosses, National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, orf Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, signalling that in this administration anyone that talks up about the president or any of his actions or plans, will be fired.

Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, was recalled from his post on Friday.

“I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately as United States ambassador to the European Union,” he said Friday.

“I am grateful to President Trump for having given me the opportunity to serve, to Secretary Pompeo for his consistent support, and to the exceptional and dedicated professionals at the U.S. Mission to the European Union,” Sondland added. “I am proud of our accomplishments. Our work here has been the highlight of my career.”

Vindman, the chief advisor on Ukraine to the National Security Council, and a decorated war service veteran, was given an instant dismissal notice and was escorted out of the building.

“There is no question in the mind of any American why this man’s job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House,” his lawyer David Pressman said Friday. “Lieutenant Colonel Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth. His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful.” his lawyer David Pressman said Friday.

Vindman’s twin brother Lieutenant Colonel Yevgeny Vindman, who had nothing to do with the impeachment trial and played no part in it, was also fired from his position as a lawyer at the National Security Council, and was also escorted from the White House building.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper earlier ruled out retaliation. “We welcome back all of our service members wherever they served to any assignment they’re given,” he told reporters onFriday. “As I said, we protect all of our persons, servicemembers from retribution or anything like that. We have already addressed that in policy and other means.”Vindmans will be rep-assigned. The twin whio gave evidence at the impeachment was aware of the risks. “Congressman, because this is America. This is the country I have served and defended, that all of my brothers have served. And here, right matters,” he told a member of Congress when giving testimony. “I knew I was assuming a lot of risks. My father deeply worried about my testimony. Because in his context, it was the ultimate risk.”

It is unclear as to whether either of the Vindmans will be re-assigned.

“This is as clear a case of retribution as I’ve seen during my 27 years in the Senate,” Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein was quoted as saying by the Reuters Thomson news agency.

“Those who suggested President Trump’s behavior would improve following his impeachment have been proven wrong,” New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said Friday. “I sincerely hope that all members of Congress condemn this latest reprehensible, yet sadly predictable conduct by President Trump.”