Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Vindman,
Director for Ukraine, National Security Council
On October 29, President Trump tweeted that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is a “Never Trumper.”409 When asked by a reporter what evidence he had for his claim, the President responded: “We’ll be showing that to you real soon. Okay?”410 President Trump continued attacking Lt. Col. Vindman during his testimony on November 19, seeking to question his loyalty to the United States. The President retweeted: “Lt. Col. Vindman was offered the position of Defense Minister for the Ukrainian Government THREE times!”411 Allies of the President also questioned Lt. Col. Vindman’s loyalty to the country and amplified the smear.412
For his part, Lt. Col. Vindman stated during his testimony:
I want to take a moment to recognize the courage of my colleagues who have appeared and are scheduled to appear before this Committee. I want to state that the vile character attacks on these distinguished and honorable public servants is reprehensible.413
Ambassador William B. Taylor, Jr., Chargé d’Affaires for
U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Department of State
On October 23, one day after Ambassador William Taylor’s deposition, the President sent a tweet comparing “Never Trumper Republicans” to “human scum.”414 An hour later, he described Ambassador Taylor in a tweet as a “Never Trumper.”415
On October 25, the President discussed Ambassador Taylor’s testimony with reporters, and again dismissed the Ambassador as a “Never Trumper.” After a reporter noted that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had hired Ambassador Taylor, the President responded: “Hey, everybody makes mistakes.” He then had the following exchange about Ambassador Taylor:
| Q: | Do you want him out now as the top diplomat? |
| A: | He’s a Never Trumper. His lawyer is the head of the Never Trumpers. They’re a dying breed, but they’re still there.416 |
On the morning of November 13, just before Ambassador Taylor and George Kent testified at a public hearing, the President tweeted: “NEVER TRUMPERS!”417
Jennifer Williams, Special Advisor for
Europe and Russia, Office of the Vice President
On November 17, two days before Jennifer Williams testified at a public hearing, President Trump sent a tweet attacking her and stating that “she should meet with the other Never Trumpers, who I don’t know & mostly never even heard of, & work out a better presidential attack!”418 During the hearing, Rep. Jim Himes asked Ms. Williams what impression the President’s tweet had made on her. She responded: “It certainly surprised me. I was not expecting to be called out by name.” Rep. Himes noted that the tweet “surprised me,
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