Duckworth will block military confirmations until Esper shows that Vindman will be promoted

Senator Tammy DuckworthLadda (Tammy) Tammy Duckworth Duckworth will block military confirmations until Esper shows that Vindman will be promoted. Liberal veterans group urges Biden to appoint Duckworth Vice President Trump faces bipartisan calls for answers on rewards offered by Russia MORE (D-Ill.) Announced Thursday that it is blocking Senate confirmation of 1,123 promotions from the US Armed Forces. Mark EsperMark Esper Duckworth will block military confirmations until Esper shows that Vindman will be promoted to House panel votes to limit Trump’s withdrawal from Germany on the House panel to ban the Confederate flag on Pentagon property MORE confirms that he will not block Lieutenant Colonel’s promotion. Alexander VindmanAlexander Vindman Duckworth will block military confirmations until Esper shows that Vindman will be promoted. Voters must vigorously reject the president’s abuses by rejecting him in November. Trump’s choice for pandemic response promises independence amid democratic skepticism MORE to the colonel

Vindman, a decorated Iraq War veteran who served on the staff of the White House National Security Council, was a prominent witness in the impeachment investigation into President TrumpDonald John Trump Secret Service Members Who Helped Organize COVID-19 Positive Pence Arizona Travel Test: Report Trump’s Pandemic Planning Office at State Department: Iran Report Releases Photo of Production Site of damaged nuclear fuel: MORE report last year.

Trump removed Vindman from his seat on the National Security Council after his testimony, but Duckworth is pushing to make sure the administration doesn’t deny him his promotion to colonel.

The Illinois Democrat, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, accused Trump in a statement Thursday of trying to “politicize the nation’s Armed Forces.” She is asking Esper to provide written confirmation that Vindman will be promoted to colonel.

“Our army is supposed to be the ultimate meritocracy,” said Duckworth. “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. “