Former White House chief of staff John Kelly criticized President Donald Trump’s Ukraine extortion plot this week and praised Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman for shining a light on it, resulting in a personal attack from Trump on Twitter.
Following his acquittal by Senate Republicans in a rigged trial, Trump removed Vindman from his National Security Council post in retaliation against him for testifying during impeachment hearings in the House last year.
Vindman was a key witness who had serious concerns about the July 25th phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which Trump demanded a “favor” and froze military aid to the country until officials helped him target his political rivals.
Kelly, who served as chief of staff for two years, spoke up in defense of Vindman while speaking to college students in New Jersey.
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“He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave,” Kelly said. “He went and told his boss what he just heard.”
“Through the Obama administration up until that phone call, the policy of the U.S. was militarily to support Ukraine in their defensive fight against … the Russians,” Kelly continued. “And so, when the president said that continued support would be based on X, that essentially changed. And that’s what that guy [Vindman] was most interested in.”
Trump’s demand was akin to “an illegal order,” Kelly explained. “We teach them, ‘Don’t follow an illegal order. And if you’re ever given one, you’ll raise it to whoever gives it to you that this is an illegal order, and then tell your boss.’”
Kelly’s remarks are a devastating rebuke of Trump’s abuse of power and undercut his repeated attacks on Vindman that include accusations that he ignored the chain of command.
On Thursday morning, Trump aimed a temper tantrum at Kelly.
When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn’t do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head. Being Chief of Staff just wasn’t for him. He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many X’s, he misses the action & just can’t keep his mouth shut,.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020
Again, Kelly served as chief of staff for two years and Trump once repeatedly praised him. But now that Kelly is speaking out against him, Trump is lashing out as usual. And he even sunk so low as to involve Kelly’s wife.
….which he actually has a military and legal obligation to do. His incredible wife, Karen, who I have a lot of respect for, once pulled me aside & said strongly that “John respects you greatly. When we are no longer here, he will only speak well of you.” Wrong!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 13, 2020
It’s likely that Kelly’s wife never made any such remarks. This is yet another shameful example of Trump smearing a respected veteran. As a retired Marine general with an impeccable military record and a former administration official, there is no one more qualified to comment on Trump’s treatment of Vindman. Americans should listen to him.
Featured image via screen capture
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