Joe Biden gets Democratic debate audience to give ousted Lt. Col Vindman a standing ovation

Just hours after news broke that President Donald Trump ousted, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from his national security post in the White House, former Vice President Joe Biden asked a Democratic presidential debate audience to give the decorated soldier a standing ovation.

Vindman testified during the House of Representatives' impeachment inquiry, and stated that the president held up military aid to Ukraine in an attempt to pressure the Ukrainian government to announce an investigation into former Vice President Biden and his son Hunter.

During the debate, Biden said that Vidnman should have received a Medal of Freedom instead of Rush Limbaugh, and asked the crowd to stand and honor the Purple Heart recipient.

"I think we should all stand up and give Lt. Col. Vindman a show of how much we supported him," Biden told the crowd. "Stand up and clap for Vindman."

Joe Biden: "Col. Vindman got thrown out of the White House today...[Pres. Trump] should have been pinning a medal on Vindman and not on Rush Limbaugh."



Joe Biden called for the crowd to stand and applaud Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman. https://t.co/Rhy9aOaDTU #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/aWoLr6u10V — ABC News (@ABC) February 8, 2020

The audience rose to their feet and applauded as Biden asked.

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On Friday, Vindman's attorney said his client was ousted for "telling the truth."

“The truth has cost Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy,” attorney David Pressman said in a statement.

Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland also testified during the impeachment inquiry, and was ousted from his position on Friday as well. House Democrats have dubbed the series of moves the "Friday Night Massacre."

Eric Ting is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting