“So I think, in the end, I don’t regret how things ended. Yes, I left the military unannounced. I had every intention of continuing – going to war college. But I think my role may have been, in a way, more important because I was able to do my part – to defend this nation in a very meaningful way and expose the CEO’s corruption, “said Vindman during an interview with CNN’s” Erin Burnett OutFront “.
“I feel that, in that regard, I have served my nation.”
Vindman testified during public impeachment hearings that Trump’s pressure for Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden was “inadequate” and that he knew “without hesitation” that he should report her. He said he reported his concerns about a “sense of duty” and defended his fellow witnesses from what he described as “reprehensible” attacks.
Witnessing in his Army uniform as an active soldier, Vindman invoked his father’s decision to leave the Soviet Union and come to the United States, noting that the testimony he was giving would likely kill him in Russia. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine if I tell you the truth,” said Vindman at the time in a line now well known.
In response, Trump dismissed Vindman as Ukraine’s top expert on the National Security Council in February and also dismissed his twin, who also played a key role in the impeachment process while serving in the White House as a lawyer for the NSC.
Asked on Monday about the message he would give to other Americans born abroad who might want to serve the country, but were deterred by his saga, Vindman said it was a “privilege” to be among the witnesses “doing the right thing”.
“Yes, there may be some costs associated with that, but you can move on,” he said. “You can recover. And you can do your part to protect this nation.”