It isn’t supposed to end this way. Once upon a time, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman would have been hailed a hero and given a promotion. But today, he was escorted out of the White House. The national security expert who testified against Donald Trump’s actions on Ukraine was fired by the White House. He will be was “re-assigned” within the military. In a statement to the New York Times, Vindman’s attorney writes:

“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,” David Pressman, the lawyer, said in a statement. “Lt. Col. Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth. His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful.”

Vindman’s twin brother, Yevgeny, also an Army Lt. Col who worked in the White House was fired by Trump as well.

Trump fired both Vindman AND his brother.



Republicans will do nothing to stop these egregious abuses of power by Trump. https://t.co/iutppH6W20 — Leah McElrath 🏳️‍🌈 (@leahmcelrath) February 7, 2020

Lt. Col. Vindman is escorted out of the White House. I have seen this movie before. It is not one set in a democracy. The shame of this moment in history is indelible. The only question is how the American people react in the present. — Dan Rather (@DanRather) February 7, 2020

Just a short time later Gordon Sondland, Ambassador to the European Union, announced he was also given his walking papers. He released a statement saying: “I was advised today that the President intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union.”

Today Trump fired Gordon Sondland and Alexander Vindman.



Both complied with subpoenas. Both told the truth. Both upheld their oaths when others wouldn't. Both displayed moral courage.



Both epitomize the opposite of Donald Trump. — Robert Reich (@RBReich) February 7, 2020

And a reminder from CBS News: “Sondland is no “never-Trumper,” as the president has suggested some witnesses were — he donated $1 million to Mr. Trump’s inaugural fund.”