America has started to see a patriotic backlash against Donald Trump’s attack on Democracy. Several career government officials, known to Trump as “the swamp,” have had the courage to testify before the impeachment inquiry. The president just cannot bear patriotism over greed in its many forms.
This morning, he tweeted about the “Never Trumpers,” the “corrupt media,” and his infamous call threatening the new Ukrainian president:
‘Supposedly, according to the Corrupt Media, the Ukraine call “concerned” today’s Never Trumper witness. Was he on the same call that I was? Can’t be possible! Please ask him to read the Transcript of the call. Witch Hunt!’
Today a career decorated Army official will testify that he was in on the phone call, and he will explain how it alarmed him. Director of European Affairs at the National Security Council (NSC) Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman earned a Purple Heart for being wounded in Iraq.
His opening remarks showed that he intended to tell the House committee that he “did not think it [the call] was proper.” He said it was wrong for President Volodymyr Zelensky to become involved in America’s politics. Vindman will testify before closed doors to the House Intelligence, Oversight, and Foreign Affairs Committees.
The lieutenant colonel listened to the call along with other NSC officials and the vice president and his aides. Still, Trump claimed in a tweet that he did not even know who Vindman was.
The government official wrote in his opening statement:
‘I was concerned by the call. I did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen, and I was worried about the implications for the U.S. government’s support of Ukraine. I realized that if Ukraine pursued an investigation into the Bidens and Burisma, it would likely be interpreted as a partisan play which would undoubtedly result in Ukraine losing the bipartisan support it has thus far maintained. [The result] would undermine U.S. National Security.’
After the call with Trump and Zelensky, Vindman was so troubled that he reported his concerns to the NSC’s lead counsel.
The House Democrats have been readying a resolution for the next step in the impeachment inquiry. The president and Republicans in Congress have been clamoring for a vote. At the forefront of the Trump supporters, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) released a statement that read:
‘A vote now is a bit like un-ringing a bell as House Democrats have selectively leaked information in order to damage President Trump for weeks. There is no doubt in my mind that the overwhelming response House Democrats heard from the American people and Senate Republicans in support of my resolution forced their hand.’
Twitter world blew up. Take a look at some more favorites below:
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
