Alexander Vindman REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

During Tuesday’s impeachment hearings, Republican lawmakers suggested that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council, had dual loyalty to Ukraine.

Vindman, an Iraq War veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart, testified that he thought Trump’s request for Ukraine to investigate his political opponents was „improper.“

During his questioning, Steve Castor, the Republicans‘ counsel, alluded to a baseless allegation that Vindman could have dual loyalty to Ukraine.

Follow along with our live coverage of the hearings here.

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During Tuesday’s impeachment hearings, Republican lawmakers suggested that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council, had dual loyalty to Ukraine.

Vindman, an Iraq War veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded there, testified that President Donald Trump’s request that Ukraine investigate his political opponents was „improper.“ He told Congress that he recognized „without hesitation“ that he had to report Trump’s request after he heard the president make it on a July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

During his questioning, Steve Castor, the Republicans‘ counsel, alluded to a baseless allegation that Vindman could have dual loyalty to Ukraine.

„You went to Ukraine for the inauguration?“ Castor asked, referring to Zelensky’s inauguration earlier this year.

„Correct,“ Vindman said.

Castor asked if „at any point“ Oleksandr Danylyuk, Ukraine’s former national-security chief, offered Vindman „a position of defense minister with the Ukrainian government.“

„He did,“ Vindman said.

„And how many times did he do that?“ Castor pressed.

„I believe it was three times,“ Vindman said.

„Do you have any reason why he asked you to do that?“ Castor asked.

„I don’t know, but every single time I dismissed it,“ Vindman replied. „Upon returning, I notified my chain of command and the appropriate counterintelligence folks about this offer.“

Trump has heavily criticized Vindman, who was born in Ukraine when it was still part of the Soviet Union and fled to the US with his family when he was a toddler.

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Castor highlights Lt. Col. Vindman’s ties with Ukraine in an attempt to draw his patriotism into question pic.twitter.com/vYvUH06Utn

Some critics accused Republicans of making anti-Semitic attacks on Vindman. Jews have for generations been targeted by the accusation — seized on prominently by the Nazis — that they’re loyal to their religion over the country where they have citizenship.

„Castor’s line of questioning implying that Vindman is potentially more loyal to Ukraine than to the United States is anti-Semitic,“ said Julia Ioffe, a national-security reporter at GQ. „Full stop.“

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Republicans thus far have questioned whether an American Purple Heart recipient and political refugee is a leaker or has dual loyalty.

A host of conservatives and right-wing media outlets have suggested the Vindman might secretly be working for Ukraine rather than the United States.

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Oh my God, look at the spin they are using right now, actually saying that Vindman is a Ukrainian double agent….this is so freaking bananas pic.twitter.com/Oxpju5W23N

Sonam Sheth contributed to this report.