Alexander Vindman Image by Getty/Chip Somodevilla/Staff

By Aiden Pink July 8, 2020

Many Jewish leaders expressed disappointment on social media after Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman announced his retirement from the United States Army on Wednesday.

Vindman’s attorney cited a “campaign of bullying, intimidation and retaliation” conducted by allies of President Trump after he testified in Trump’s impeachment hearing.

Daniel Goldman, who served as majority counsel during the impeachment investigation, said Vindman’s retirement was a “travesty,” and shared a video of a portion of the former colonel’s testimony when he promised his father that no harm would come to him for speaking out.

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It is a real travesty that Vindman feels that this is his only recourse. We should be celebrating someone who has given so much to this country, as opposed to the President who has taken so much from it.

Lt. Col. Vindman, those of us who believe in the rule of law salute you. https://t.co/vv1X7DB5rE

— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) July 8, 2020

Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, praised Vindman’s service.

Alexander Vindman did his duty and told the truth about presidential misconduct, because here, right matters.

Col. Vindman’s patriotism is incomprehensible to the likes of Donald Trump, but it is at the heart of America’s strength.

Thank you for your service, Lt. Col. Vindman. https://t.co/bvHfUVspEn

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) July 8, 2020

But Rep. Lee Zeldin, a Republican from New York and one of Trump’s most vocal defenders, was critical of Vindman, accusing him of breaking the law:

Vindman is trying to declare himself a martyr. Couple issues: (1) He declared “his patriotism cost him his career”, but he was just selected for PROMOTION. He chose to end his own career. (2) He perjured himself under oath about his role sourcing the whistleblower. That’s a crime https://t.co/sCCSDnVF9S

— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) July 8, 2020

Vindman, who was born in Ukraine, was removed from his position in the White House as a Ukraine analyst at the National Security Council in February. Following that move, his northern Virginia synagogue issued a statement of support for him.

Aiden Pink is the deputy news editor of the Forward. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @aidenpink

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