Donald Trump defends firing of ‘insubordinate’ aide Alex Vindman, who testified against him in impeachment probe
- US president says White House aide had incorrectly reported contents of his ‘perfect’ phone calls during Ukraine investigation
- Vindman was one of two impeachment witnesses ousted by administration on Friday
US President Donald Trump on Saturday defended the ouster of impeachment witness Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman from the White House National Security Council, calling him “insubordinate” and saying he had incorrectly reported the contents of Trump’s “perfect” telephone calls.
Vindman was one of two witnesses who provided some of the most damaging testimony during Trump’s impeachment investigation who were ousted by the administration on Friday.
Trump tweeted that “Fake News” media kept “talking about ‘Lt. Col.’ Vindman as though I should think only how wonderful he was.
“Actually, I don’t know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I don’t believe!) but, he was very insubordinate, reported contents of my ‘perfect’ calls incorrectly,” Trump said.
Trump added that Vindman was “given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information. In other words, ‘OUT’.”
Hours after Vindman was escorted from the White House on Friday, Gordon Sondland, another key impeachment witness, said he had been ousted from his post as U.S ambassador to the European Union.