The top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee said Wednesday that based on previous testimony, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman should not be disciplined for his testimony against President Trump in the impeachment inquiry.
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas referred to Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s previous comments that Lt. Col. Vindman would not be punished and he is “counting on Secretary Esper to make sure that happens.”
The day prior, Mr. Trump told reporters that the White House removed Lt. Col. Vindman last week from the National Security Council and that the military can deal with him any way it wants.
The president said he wasn’t happy with Lt. Col. Vindman or his brother, Yevgeny, who also worked for the NSC and was removed from that job last week.
Lt. Col. Vindman’s lawyer said he was being punished for speaking out against the president, but Mr. Thornberry argued, “based on his testimony before,” it would not be appropriate to take disciplinary action.
Mr. Thornberry, the ranking member of the House panel, said Lt. Col. Vindman “needs to be processed based on his talents” and suggested the military “treat him just like anyone else.”
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.
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