A White House national security official will testify in the House impeachment inquiry that he twice raised concerns over the Trump administration’s interest in having Ukraine investigate Joe Biden.
Alexander Vindman, an Army lieutenant colonel, will tell House investigators Tuesday that he listened to Donald Trump’s call with new Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskiy and ‘did not think it was proper.’
Vindman, a decorated Iraq war veteran, will be the first White House official to say he heard the July 25 telephone call between Trump and Zelensky that is at the center of the impeachment inquiry.
In his opening statement, which was obtained by The New York Times, he claimed the National Security Council proposed that Trump call President to congratulate him after his party won parliamentary elections.
He explained: ‘On July 25 , 2019, the call occurred. I listened in on the call in the Situation Room with colleagues from the NSC and theoffice of the Vice President.
‘As the transcript is in the public record, we are all aware of what was said . 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.
Burisma Holdings is an energy company where Mr. Biden’s son served while his father was vice president.
‘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.
‘This would all undermine U.S. national security,’ Colonel Vindman added, referring to Trump’s remarks during the call.
‘This would all undermine U.S. national security. Following the call, I again reported my concerns to NSC’s lead counsel.’
The New York Times reported that Vindeman is due to be interviewed privately on Tuesday by the House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight and Reform Committees.
Alexander Vindman, an Army lieutenant colonel, will tell House investigators Tuesday that he listened to Donald Trump ‘s call with new Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskiy and ‘did not think it was proper’
Vindman served multiple overseas tours, including South Korea and Germany, and was deployed to Iraq for combat operations. He was wounded in an IED attack and was subsequently awarded a Purple Heart.
He served in United States’ embassies in Kiev , Ukraine and Moscow , Russia . In Washington , D . C ., was a politico -military affairs officer for Russia for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs where authored the principle strategy for managing competition with Russia.
In his statement he adds: ‘I have a deep appreciation for American values and ideals and the power of freedom. I am a patriot, and it is my sacred duty and honor to advance and defend OUR country, irrespective of party or politics.’
He will tell the committee that he is not the whistle-blower who brought the issue to the CIA and the Committees’ attention.
Vindman said there was another incident which he thought was improper and he reported it to the National Security Council’s lead counsel.
He claimed that On July 10, Oleksandr Danylyuk , the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council for Ukraine, visited Washington, D.C. for a meeting with National Security Advisor John Bolton.
He said that Gordon D. Sondland, the United States ambassador to the European Union, and Kurt Volker, who resigned as U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, earlier this month, were also in attendance.
In his testimony he claimed the Ukrainians saw this meeting as critically important in order to solidify the support of their most important international partner.
‘Amb. Sondland started to speak about Ukraine delivering specific investigations in order to secure the meeting with the President, at which time Ambassador Bolton cut the meeting short.
‘Following this meeting, there was a scheduled debriefing during which Amb. Sondland emphasized the importance that Ukraine deliver the investigations into the 2016 election, the Bidens, and Burisma.
‘I stated to Amb. Sondland that his statements were inappropriate, that the request to investigate Biden and his son had nothing to do with national security , and that such investigations were not something the NSC was going to get involved in or push.
‘Dr. Hill then entered the room and asserted to Amb. Sondland that his statements were inappropriate.’