InfoMullet: An Officer Takes the Stand

TLDRUpFront: Interesting testimony scheduled for tomorrow. Lt. Colonel Vindman, an Army officer assigned to the White House as the Ukrainian specialist for the National Security Council, who was on the call between President Trump and President Zelensky.

FullContext in the Back:

According to his opening statement, COL Vindman protested twice about undue influence on Ukrainian policy threatening national security, once before and once after the call, confronted Ambassador Sondland directly over what was going on, and drafted two memos of concern to the NSC attorneys at the request of NSA Bolton outlining his concerns in addition to being present at many of the key conversations and events.

If Taylor was the outsider establishing the framework of quid pro quo and diplomatic risk, Colonel Vindman appears to be the insider establishing a similar framework less about quid pro quo – and more about a national security risk emerging from the shadow-policy being run by Giuliani.

Bolton may or may not testify, but his presence looms large in this as a central figure. And even if he doesn’t testify, his actions are coming into clearer focus that there was strong opposition and awareness this was inappropriate within the White House and concerns were either ignored or overruled from both professional and appointee staff.

I’ll post the opening statement tomorrow as soon as it becomes available.

Sources:

www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/us/politics/Alexander-Vindman-trump-impeachment.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=HomepageSource:

Original Facebook Post: www.facebook.com/tim.clancy.313/posts/10211206116469324