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riversedge

(69,721 posts)
Wed Feb 12, 2020, 06:05 PM Feb 2020

Army Isn't Investigating Lt. Col. Vindman, Despite Trump's Tweets

Source: daily beast




PROFILES IN COURAGE

But that could change in a hurry. Retired officers tell The Beast that the officer who testified about Trump’s attempts to pressure Ukraine isn’t out of professional danger yet.

Updated Feb. 12, 2020 4:43PM ET / Published Feb. 12, 2020 4:30PM ET

The Army officer and former National Security Council staffer who testified in the impeachment inquiry is not under Army investigation, a knowledgeable Defense Department official told The Daily Beast.

........................

Ever since Vindman was escorted out of the White House on Friday, along with his twin brother, there has been intense speculation over the future of his military career. Vindman has returned to the Department of the Army.

Vindman infuriated President Trump by testifying that the pressure he witnessed on Ukraine to aid the president’s reelection was inappropriate. After the Senate Republicans acquitted Trump in the impeachment trial, Trump has focused on retribution against his perceived enemies within the national-security apparatus. On Tuesday, Trump encouraged the military to discipline Vindman, saying “the military can handle him.” “That’s going to be up to the military, we’ll have to see, but if you look at what happened, they’re going to certainly, I would imagine, take a look at that,” Trump said.

For now, they’re not. The Defense official said the Army was not investigating Vindman—an indication that, thus far, the Army does not see Vindman as committing a professional infraction by testifying to the inquiry.

........................

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/army-isnt-investigating-lt-col-alexander-vindman-despite-trumps-tweets



Vindictive Trump will go after him. yes. he. will. IMHO
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maxsolomon

(32,984 posts)
1. If they do, then we're really fucked.
Wed Feb 12, 2020, 06:08 PM
Feb 2020

Right now the Military feels like the last bastion of ethics in the Federal Government.

Which is pitiful.

RockRaven

(14,782 posts)
2. When Trump hears media coverage of the fact that his tweet isn't being followed as an order,
Wed Feb 12, 2020, 06:08 PM
Feb 2020

he WILL make a non-tweet order.

This sort of thing has happened before: He says "I'm doing X." Nobody does anything. Media reports nobody is doing X. Trump has a tantrum and orders people to do X. People do X.

KatyBR

(183 posts)
4. He testified under a subpoena-that's called following the law
Wed Feb 12, 2020, 06:19 PM
Feb 2020

He never wrote a newspaper, he never talked to reporters, he just responded to a legal subpoena from the House of Representatives. That is not illegal. Trump is trying to create a counter-narrative in the media.

TomSlick

(11,033 posts)
7. Nothing can be done under the UCMJ.
Thu Feb 13, 2020, 12:47 AM
Feb 2020

If LTC Vindman had committed a UCMJ violation - which, of course he did not - Dear Leader's comments would prevent any prosecution under the unlawful command influence rules. I was involved in unlawful command influence cases as an Army appellate defense attorney. Army military judges - who don't answer to Trump - take the prohibition against unlawful command influence very seriously. My prediction is that the Army will ignore Trump's tweets.

However, I do have a concern. The promotion to Colonel is the first promotion that requires Senate approval. The Senate consideration is usually done by the entire promotion list. I can see a GOP controlled Senate holding up the entire promotion list unless LTC Vindman is removed from the list.

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