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Trump impeachment key witness Alexander Vindman retiring from military citing 'campaign of bullying'

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Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a key witness in President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry, said in a tweet Wednesday he is retiring from the U.…
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a key witness in President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry, said in a tweet Wednesday he is retiring from the U. S. Army after more than 21 years of military service, saying his future « will forever be limited » due to political retaliation.
« Today I officially requested retirement from the US Army, an organization I love. My family and I look forward to the next chapter of our lives, » Vindman said.
The news was first reported by CNN.
Vindman’s attorney Amb. David Pressman said in a statement obtained by ABC News that his client has endured a « campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation » and that « he was bullied by the President and his proxies » since his November testimony in House impeachment hearings.
« Through a campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation, the President of the United States attempted to force LTC Vindman to choose: Between adhering to the law or pleasing a President. Between honoring his oath or protecting his career. Between protecting his promotion or the promotion of his fellow soldiers, » the statement read.
Pressman added that Vindman’s « patriotism has cost him his career. »
Trump fired Vindman as the top expert on Ukraine on the National Security Council in February, two days after his acquittal in the Senate, along with his twin brother who was serving at the White House as an NSC lawyer.
According to U. S. officials, the resignation comes as Vindman’s name was included among the Army’s list of officers selected for promotion to colonel.
A senior Defense official tells ABC News that Vindman’s promotion had been approved by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on Monday and that his name and the others on the promotion list was going to be sent to the White House for final approval later this week.
On Monday, Esper approved the list of lieutenant colonels who had been selected for promotion to colonel and Vindman’s name was on the list, said the official.

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