Eugene Semyon Vindman (born Yevgeny Semyonovich Vindman[a], June 6, 1975) is an American politician and former U.S. Army colonel.[1] He was a deputy legal advisor for the United States National Security Council (NSC) until he was reassigned on February 7, 2020.[2][3]
Eugene Vindman | |
|---|---|
Євген Віндман | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Yevgeny Semyonovich Vindman June 6, 1975 Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Kyiv, Ukraine) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Cindy Groff |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Alexander Vindman (brother) |
| Education | |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1998–2022 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | Judge Advocate General's Corps |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | |
Vindman came to national attention in October 2019 when his twin brother, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, testified before the United States Congress regarding the Trump–Ukraine scandal. Eugene received the report of President Trump's phone call from Alex and reported the call to senior White House lawyers. Alex's testimony provided evidence that resulted in a charge of abuse of power in the impeachment of Donald Trump.
Vindman is the Democratic nominee for Virginia's 7th congressional district in the House of Representatives.[4] He will face Republican Derrick Anderson in the general election.[5]
Early life and education
Yevgeny Semyon Vindman (né Yevgeny Semyonovich Vindman) and his identical twin brother Alexander were born on June 6, 1975[6] to a Jewish family in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Soviet Union.[7][8] After the death of their mother, the three-year-old twins and their older brother Leonid were brought by their father, Semyon (Simon) to New York in December 1979.[9][10] Their father worked by moving furniture when he arrived and taught himself English.[11] The family lived in Brooklyn's Brighton Beach neighborhood. Vindman appears briefly with his maternal grandmother in the 1985 Ken Burns documentary The Statue of Liberty.[9][10] He speaks fluent Russian.
In 1997, Vindman graduated from the State University of New York at Binghamton in Binghamton, New York, with a bachelor of arts degree in history.[12] He later received a master of science degree in general administration from Central Michigan University,[11] a juris doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law,[13] and a master of laws from the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School.[11]
Military career
Vindman enlisted in the United States Army after getting his bachelor degree and rose to the rank of colonel.[1] He served for 25 years as a paratrooper, infantryman and Judge Advocate General's Corps attorney[11] and was deployed to Iraq.[14] He retired from the Army in 2022.[15] Vindman retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel as he did not serve the required time to retire as a colonel. Vindman's campaign literature has referred to him as a "Retired U.S. Colonel" or "Army Colonel Retired". After Vindman was questioned about the discrepancy, his campaign began to refer to him as a "former colonel."[16]
His military decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, six Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals and three Army Achievement Medals.[11]
National Security Council
Vindman was assigned during the Trump administration in 2018 as a deputy legal adviser to the National Security Council, where he was the senior ethics official.[11] He was involved in reporting President Trump's attempt to coerce Ukraine into investigating President Biden and was retaliated by the Trump administration for his actions.[17][3]
Trump phone call to Zelensky
On July 25, 2019, Alex Vindman listened to a phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky and was concerned by the contents, saying that he "did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen," and "was worried about the implications for the U.S. Government's support of Ukraine." Alex believed that the call would "undermine U.S. national security." Alex immediately reported the call to Eugene Vindman, who was the lead ethics attorney and a deputy legal advisor. Vindman recognized the serious legal ramification of the call, including violations of law, and the legal/political jeopardy President Trump faced. Vindman advised that they both further report the call through channels to the NSC's lead counsel, John Eisenberg.[18]
Vindman had two more conversations with Eisenberg about the July 25, 2019, phone call. The first follow-up conversation occurred on August 1, 2019. Vindman sought to clarify with Eisenberg their role and obligations as attorneys, and whether as attorneys they were duty-bound to represent the Office of the President of the United States or the individual serving as President. Vindman had a second conversation with Eisenberg on August 5, 2019, when he conveyed his concern that President Trump's request that President Zelensky investigate President Trump's political rival may have violated the Federal Bribery Statute, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and federal election laws. Once the call became public, both brothers received threats and denunciation, and reached out to the Army regarding their family's safety.[19]
Trump's first impeachment
Eugene helped his brother throughout President Trump's first impeachment, which went from December 18, 2019 to February 5, 2020, including by drafting the portion of the opening statement where Alex Vindman assured their father that he had made the right decision in emigrating from the Soviet Union to the United States.[20] Alex stated, "In Russia, my act of ... offering public testimony involving the President would surely cost me my life. I am grateful for my father's brave act of hope 40 years ago and for the privilege of being an American citizen and public servant, where I can live free of fear for mine [sic] and my family's safety. Dad, my sitting here today, in the U.S. Capitol talking to our elected officials is proof that you made the right decision forty years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to United States of America in search of a better life for our family. Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth."
Trump alleged retaliation against Vindman
On February 10, 2020, then-Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sent a letter in an apparent response to the firing of the two brothers that requested federal Inspectors General investigate possible retaliation against "anyone who has made, or in the future makes, protected disclosures of presidential misconduct."[21] On February 13, Trump's former chief of staff, retired Marine General John Kelly, defended Vindman's actions and testimony. "He did exactly what we teach them to do from cradle to grave. He went and told his boss what he just heard," Kelly said.
During a panel discussion in February 2020, at the Atlantic Council, Trump's National Security Advisor, Robert C. O'Brien said it was his decision to remove both Vindman brothers from the NSC staff and denied that the move was ordered by Trump in retaliation for Vindman's testimony. O'Brien also disputed the removal from the NSC staff was a "firing" since both brothers remained active-duty Army officers. O'Brien said that their transfer was part of a larger NSA staff reduction. His remarks contradicted Trump, who tweeted that he had ousted Vindman for insubordination and for doing "a lot of bad things."[22]
Vindman held the rank of colonel on active duty, but retired as a lieutenant colonel because he had not served the minimum requirement of three years' time in grade to retain the rank in retirement.[23] In 2022, his supporters called on President Biden to allow Yevgeny to retire as a colonel.[24] Vindman himself emphasized that retiring at the rank of colonel would not affect his retirement compensation and would be merely “honorific.”[25] The Army declined to submit Vindman's request to President Joe Biden, telling the media that time-in-grade waivers were extremely rare, with "only three such waivers for Army officers since 1997."[25] Vindman's lawyer, Mark Zaid, who is also a founder of the nonprofit Whistleblower Aid offering legal services to others like Yevgeny, emphasized that the White House's failure to address Vindman's request might deter officials from speaking out about potential government wrongdoing in the future.[25]
Post-retirement career
Since 2022, Vindman has held the position of Director of Military Analysis and Prosecution Support for the Atrocity Crimes Advisory (ACA) group.[26] The ACA was formed by the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom as an operational hub coordinating assistance to the Office of the Prosecutor of Ukraine. This collaboration aims to investigate and prosecute those responsible for war crimes committed on Ukrainian soil.[26]
In March 2023, Eugene Vindman, together with his twin brother Alexander Vindman, initiated the Trident Support project. Its primary goal is to set up a weapon maintenance and training facility within Ukraine.[27] Within Trident Support, the Vindman brothers aim to enlist 100–200 adept Western contractors. These professionals will collaborate with Ukrainian forces close to the front lines, offering training on mending battle-affected equipment provided by Western countries.[27]
2024 U.S. House of Representatives campaign
In November 2023, Vindman announced that he would run for the United States House of Representatives in Virginia's 7th District, where incumbent Democrat Abigail Spanberger is not seeking reelection.[28][29]
Vindman received endorsements from Adam Schiff, former Under Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy, and The Washington Post editorial board.[30][31] Despite being a newcomer to politics, Vindman was able to fundraise based on his national profile and quickly became a frontrunner in the Democratic primary.[32] He raised $5 million and had $876,000 on hand as of May 29, 2024, in addition to a combined $1.3 million in independent expenditures from cryptocurrency advocacy group Protect Progress PAC and VoteVets.[33] However, Vindman's national profile and disconnect from local politics has been regularly criticized by local Democratic activists and elected officials.[31][34]
In April, Vindman was photographed alongside supporters in a now-deleted post to Twitter holding a flag used during the Virginia's Confederate period.[35] Vindman apologized and called it a mistake. The National Republican Congressional Committee released a statement ridiculing Vindman and President Pro Tem of the Virginia Senate Louise Lucas stated "When I saw the news that a Democratic candidate for Congress was campaigning with the confederate era Virginia flag I was angry and stunned, How could someone who wants to represent us be so ignorant of our history?"[34][36]
On June 18, 2024, Vindman won the Democratic primary. He will face Republican Derrick Anderson in the general election.[5]
Personal life
Vindman is married to Cindy Vindman, née Groff. The couple has two children.[37]
Notes
References
- ^ a b Armus, Teo (June 1, 2024). "Yevgeny Vindman, officer who reported Trump, to run for Spanberger seat". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ De Luce, Dan; Lederman, Josh (March 16, 2021). "Army promotes Yevgeny Vindman, brother of impeachment witness". NBC News.
- ^ a b Inspector General (May 18, 2022). "Whistleblower reprisal investigation: Lieutenant Colonel Yevgeny S. Vindman" (PDF). U.S. Department of Defense.
- ^ "Key figure in first Trump impeachment wins Democratic primary for Spanberger's seat". The Hill. June 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Anderson, Vindman projected to battle for Va.'s 7th District". The Washington Post. June 18, 2024.
- ^ Volz, Dustin; Restuccia, Andrew; Hughes, Siobhan (October 29, 2019). "Parties Spar Over White House Aide in Combative Impeachment Hearing". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (October 29, 2019). "Meet Alexander Vindman, the Colonel Who Testified on Trump's Phone Call". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ^ Shimron, Yonat (November 13, 2019). "Why are so many players in the impeachment trial Jewish?". Religion News Service.
In fact, Vindman, Parnas, and Fruman were able to immigrate to the U.S. precisely because they are Jewish.
- ^ a b Burns, Ken. "Arrival". PBS. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ a b Dolsten, Josefin (November 6, 2019). "A Jewish photographer has been capturing Alexander Vindman and his twin for nearly 4 decades". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Star-Exponent, Richard Horner Culpeper (November 21, 2023). "Former White House advisor to run for Congress". Culpeper Star-Exponent. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ "Binghamton University Graduates". Press & Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton, New York. May 16, 1997 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ https://www.ibanet.org/conference/CONF2244/speaker-details/CONF2244_147000
- ^ III, Leo Shane (November 15, 2023). "Eugene Vindman, Army vet who drew Trump's ire, to run for Congress". Military Times. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ III, Leo Shane (August 26, 2022). "Will Pentagon whistleblower Yevgeny Vindman retire as a colonel?". Military Times. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ Martz, Michael (August 26, 2024). "Virginia 7th District race features battles over residency, service". Fredericksburg.com. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "Armed Services, Oversight, and Intelligence Committee Chairs on Report Finding Retaliation Against Lieutenant Colonel Yevgeny Vindman". House Armed Services Committee - Democrats. May 18, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ Kelly, Amita (October 28, 2019). "Ukraine Expert Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman's Opening Statement". NPR. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ Browne, Ryan (November 19, 2019). "Alexander Vindman has reached out to Army about his family's safety amid attacks by Trump and GOP lawmakers". CNN. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ Vindman, Alexander S. (2021). Here, Right Matters. New York City: HarperCollins. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-0630-7944-1.
- ^ Quinn, Melissa (February 10, 2020). "Schumer calls on inspectors general to investigate retaliation against whistleblowers". CBS. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- ^ Brook, Tom Vanden (February 14, 2020). "Army Secretary: No investigation into Vindman, Army aide and impeachment witness fired by Trump". USA Today. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "José Andrés, Garry Kasparov, Daniel Lubetzky and Alexander Vindman Team up to Launch Ukrainian Scholarship Program and Student Ambassadorship for Global Democracy". PR Newswire (Press release). September 7, 2022.
- ^ Beitsch, Rebecca (August 26, 2022). "Biden faces calls to let Vindman twin retire as colonel". The Hill. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c Rouhandeh, Alex J. (August 31, 2022). "Trump Whistleblower on Ukraine Seeks Retirement Help Only Biden Can Offer". Newsweek.
- ^ a b "Creation of Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine". Office of Global Criminal Justice (Press release). United States Department of State. May 25, 2022.
- ^ a b McLeary, Paul (February 2, 2023). "Vindman leads new push to send military contractors to Ukraine". Politico.
- ^ Armus, Teo (November 15, 2023). "Yevgeny Vindman, officer who reported Trump, to run for Spanberger seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ Habeshian, Sareen (November 15, 2023). "Trump whistleblower running for key House seat". Axios. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ Editorial Board (May 15, 2024). "The Post's choices in Northern Virginia's U.S. House primaries". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Armus, Teo (June 2, 2024). "Dems weigh local ties, anti-Trump fame in primary for Spanberger seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Barakat, Matthew (June 7, 2024). "Political newcomer who blew whistle on Trump faces experienced foes in Democratic primary". AP News. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ McIntire, Mary Ellen; Altimari, Daniela; Lesniewski, Niels (June 14, 2024). "Five faces to watch Tuesday in Georgia, Oklahoma and Virginia". Roll Call. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Martz, Michael (May 12, 2024). "After Spanberger: 7th District Dems are running a local race in the national spotlight". The Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Kiser, Uriah (April 15, 2024). "Photo of Democratic candidate Eugene Vindman with Confederate State Flag sparks controversy on social media". Potomac Local News. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ Hojdat, Arya (June 15, 2024). "Did Eugene Vindman Pose With a Confederate Flag?". Washingtonian. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Eugene Vindman - Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 1503". vfw1503.org. Retrieved August 26, 2024.