Washington Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois combat veteran, announced Thursday that he plans to block more than 1,100 military promotions until he receives confirmation from Defense Secretary Mark Esper that he will not block an expected promotion for the Army officer who was a key witness in President Trump’s impeachment proceedings.
Duckworth said he is seeking written confirmation from Esper that “he did not block, or will not block, the expected and deserved promotion” of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who testified before House investigators during his impeachment investigation into the Mr. Trump’s dealings with Ukraine, for full colonel.
Duckworth’s general reserve applies to 1,123 high-ranking military promotions above the rank of colonel.
“Our army is supposed to be the ultimate meritocracy,” said Duckworth, who served in the Reserved Forces for more than two decades, in a statement. “It is simply unprecedented and it is wrong for any commander-in-chief to meddle in routine military affairs, whether or not he has personal vengeance against a soldier who did his patriotic duty and spoke the truth: a soldier who has been recommended for promotion. by their superiors because of their performance. “
Duckworth said he will lift his grip on the Senate approval of promotions once Esper confirms whether Vindman was among those selected to move from lieutenant colonel to colonel, if the Army included Vindman on its list of promotions for colonel sent to the Pentagon, and whether Esper or another Defense Department official will send or have submitted a list of Army promotions to the Colonel to the White House for approval that includes Vindman.
As an expert on Ukraine at the National Security Council, Vindman participated in the July 2019 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which the president asked his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden. Vindman expressed concern about the call to superiors on the National Security Council.
During testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, Vindman said Mr. Trump’s suggestion to Zelensky was “inappropriate.”
The call was the focus of the impeachment investigation by House Democrats on Trump, who was indicted by the House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in December. The president was acquitted of both charges by the Senate in February.
Days after Mr. Trump’s acquittal, Vindman was removed from his post on the National Security Council and escorted out of the White House.
Trump attacked Vindman, alleging that he was “very insubordinate” and that “his superior gave him a horrendous report,” and his criticism of the Army officer raised concerns that the President would retaliate against those who testified against him during the trial proceedings. political.
The Washington Post reported last month that numerous government officials were concerned that Vindman’s promotion was in jeopardy due to his involvement in the impeachment investigation. Promotions are generally approved by the Army and the Pentagon before being sent to the White House and Senate for confirmation.
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