Vindman to retire from military. Lawyer cites ‘campaign of bullying, intimidation and retaliation’
WASHINGTON, DC (CNN)
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman a key witness in President Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry is retiring from the US Army after more than 21 years of military service because he determined that his future in the armed forces "will forever be limited" due to political retaliation by the President and his allies, his lawyer told CNN Wednesday.
Vindman has endured a "campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation" spearheaded by the President following his testimony in the impeachment inquiry last year, according to his attorney, Amb. David Pressman.
News of Vindman's retirement marks the culmination of a months-long saga dating back to his public testimony in November.
Trump fired Vindman as the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council in February and also ousted his twin brother who also played a key role in impeachment proceedings while serving at the White House as an NSC lawyer.
In recent weeks, a controversy has centered around allegations that the White House was attempting to block Vindman's upcoming military promotion to the rank of colonel.
"The President of the United States attempted to force LTC Vindman to choose: Between adhering to the law or pleasing a President. Between honoring his oath or protecting his career. Between protecting his promotion or the promotion of his fellow soldiers," Pressman said in a statement to CNN.
"These are choices that no one in the United States should confront, especially one who has dedicated his life to serving it," he added, noting that Vindman "did what the law compelled him to do; and for that he was bullied by the President and his proxies."
