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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLt. Col. Alexander Vindman to be removed from National Security Council
OBrien noted that Vindman, who is an active officer in the Army, serves on the NSC through the Department of Defense. Everyone whos detailed at the NSC ... people are going to start going back to their own departments and well bring in new folks, said OBrien. New folks who, presumably, Trump believes he can control and prevent from reporting issues or supplying testimony in a matter with deep national security implications.
OBrien was asked if Vindman was being removed because he was scheduled to rotate out or whether there was any retaliation against him. In reply, OBrien said, I never retaliate against anyone myself. Asked again whether Vindman had been scheduled to leave, OBrien replied there will be a time for everyone who is detailed there. The evasion in both of those answers is clear.
In previous statements, Trump has referred to Vindman as a Never Trumper, part of a group he described as human scum. Now Trumps Veterans Day gift for Vindman is removing him from his position for doing his job.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/11/10/1898525/-Lt-Col-Alexander-Vindman-to-be-removed-from-National-Security-Council
atreides1
(16,100 posts)We are bringing in people loyal to the President, not to the United States of America and especially not to the Constitution of the United States!!!
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)Proud Liberal Dem
(24,450 posts)It sounds more like he is being sidelined (i.e. not allowed to listen in on calls), although, at the end of the day, it's pretty much the same difference.
2naSalit
(86,868 posts)shortly after testifying... if they can't be stopped from testifying, they'll be punished with reassignment or termination.
Time to clean out the WH.
5X
(3,972 posts)during the impeachment.
and this is ok?
Ilsa
(61,709 posts)Then removing him from his post makes the retaliation public.
Perseus
(4,341 posts)What a bunch of tools in this administration, no one seems to have the balls to say no to the con.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(175,759 posts)The optics stink to high heaven. Taylor and Vindman deserve promotions, not this. Yes, I realize that Taylor came out of retirement to do a job for which he is getting no thanks.
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,503 posts)ancianita
(36,161 posts)Power Article.
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,503 posts)Gather up his enablers and coattail riders, too.
ancianita
(36,161 posts)magicarpet
(14,189 posts)You take any actions against trDump and not display 100% loyalty,... you get the kiss of death on each cheek.
orangecrush
(19,652 posts)On both ass cheeks.
turbinetree
(24,735 posts)and Congress needs to bring everyone in and ask them .................under oath.................especially this O'Brien character........................... Fuck him and the horse he rides on also........named Traitor trump...............what a spineless lackey.............
November 3, 2020 cannot get here fast enough................
SayItLoud
(1,702 posts)Never have there been so many unconfirmed department and agency heads. These toads are all tRUMP flunkies never having to appear and be confirmed. Sure, they don't get some intel (but you can be assured they DO get it via back channels). This infestation of tRUMP loyalists without an iota of care for America or the Constitution is a serious disease and must be cut out. Just sayin...
spanone
(135,907 posts)iluvtennis
(19,883 posts)keithbvadu2
(36,974 posts)Poiuyt
(18,131 posts)renate
(13,776 posts)Its so sad but its absolutely accurate.
ffr
(22,674 posts)Disgraceful!
pwb
(11,294 posts)Vindman knew this would happen he probably didn't like working there anyway.
BSdetect
(8,999 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,052 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)I hope theres a charge of abuse of power here. And I hope Vindman gets vindicated very quickly.
Theyre sending messages so lets send some of our own back.
James48
(4,444 posts)Employee Witness retaliation - It's a TEN YEAR FELONY
18 U.S. Code § 1513.Retaliating against a witness
(e) Whoever knowingly, with the intent to retaliate, takes any action harmful to any person, including interference with the lawful employment or livelihood of any person, for providing to a law enforcement officer any truthful information relating to the commission or possible commission of any Federal offense, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(f)Whoever conspires to commit any offense under this section shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.
(g)A prosecution under this section may be brought in the district in which the official proceeding (whether pending, about to be instituted, or completed) was intended to be affected, or in which the conduct constituting the alleged offense occurred.
From the Justice Department website at : https://www.justice.gov/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1733-scope-18-usc-1513
"1733. SCOPE OF 18 U.S.C. 1513
Section 1513 of Title 18 embraces two types of conduct heretofore beyond the purview of Federal law. First, the statute reaches threats of retaliation. Second, it reaches attempts to retaliate. Section 1513 complements 18 U.S.C. § 1512 by proscribing conduct amounting to retaliation for participation in Federal legislative, administrative, or judicial proceedings or for the communication of information to Federal law enforcement officers. With the exception of the omnibus clauses of §§ 1503 and 1505, the express prohibitions against retaliating against witnesses, parties, and informants contained in former 18 U.S.C. §§ 1503, 1505, and 1510 are now in 18 U.S.C. § 1513(a) and (b).
The structure of 18 U.S.C. § 1513 is similar to that of 18 U.S.C. § 1512. Section 1513, like § 1512, eliminates ambiguity about the class of people protected. Although the former law protected witnesses and parties, it was unclear whether that law reached retaliation against third parties (for example, the spouse of a witness) in response to the participation of the principal party in a Federal proceeding. Section 1513 plainly covers such conduct even though the caption of the provision may indicate otherwise. See 128 Cong. Rec. H8204 (daily ed. Sept. 30, 1982). Section 1513, like 18 U.S.C. § 1512, expands the class of informants protected by Federal law. It also confers extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over the offenses cited in the provision. See 18 U.S.C. § 1512(g).
[cited in JM 9-69.100]
pandr32
(11,635 posts)Faux pas
(14,700 posts)Universe forbid that any honest and true patriots be allowed to be honest patriots.
onenote
(42,794 posts)At the time it was reported that no specific timeline had been given for Vindman to leave his position with the NSC.
TeamPooka
(24,273 posts)keeping their eye on him.
Grokenstein
(5,728 posts)I have a hard time calling this collection of criminals and mooks on kneepads an "administration."
In reply, OBrien said, I never retaliate against anyone myself.
Krusty the Clown: "Don't look at me! IIIIIIII didn't do it!!"