The Vindman Family is the First Family of Public Servants

Alexander, Yevgeny, and Rachel Vindman represent civil service at its best

My fellow Americans,

The Vindman Family is one of the finest families of public servants in our democracy.

Lieutenant Colonel

Alexander Vindman

deserves medals and our eternal gratitude. He blew the whistle on Trump, which led to an impeachment. I cannot fathom how much bravery it took for him to speak truth to power. Like him, his wife

Rachel Vindman

also writes a brilliant Substack about fighting fascism. Twice as nice - his twin brother Eugene was recently elected to Congress in Virginia. Most public servants are not elected. If more of them ran for office and won, we would achieve new heights as a government.

Lt. Col. Vindman is a role model for me and many public servants. He gives us hope, even though the new administration strikes us with fear. Whenever I am struggling with work, I ask myself: What would Alexander Vindman do? He has been awarded several honors, including the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge, for his service in Iraq. His testimony and actions have also inspired others to speak out against wrongdoing and to prioritize the truth, even in the face of adversity. Vindman's legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity, courage, and public service.

Speaking Out Even When it's Uncomfortable

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REMINDER: I am writing anonymously because I fear retribution. Your support will give me courage to speak truth to power. If I lose my civil service career because of Trump’s fascism and DOGE, any income from Substack will help me support my partner, our children, and our adorable cats.

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The great Heather Cox Richardson detailed the latest disgusting attacks by Elon on Vindman:

Meanwhile, those loyal to a rising regime attack public servants to make others afraid to speak out. On Friday, billionaire Elon Musk posted on X that Alexander Vindman, former National Security Council director for European affairs, is “on the payroll of Ukrainian oligarchs and has committed treason against the United States, for which he will pay the appropriate penalty.” Vindman was a key figure in Trump’s first impeachment after being on the phone call in which Trump tried to get Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky to smear the Democratic opponent he considered most dangerous to his reelection prospects, then–former vice president Joe Biden, before Trump would release money Congress had appropriated for Ukraine’s defense against Russian incursions.

But Vindman, who famously told Congress that he had assured his father that he was safe speaking up against the president because “here, right matters,” wasn’t taking such an attack quietly.

“Elon, here you go again making false and completely unfounded accusations without providing any specifics,” Vindman posted back. “That’s the kind of response one would expect from a conspiracy theorist. What oligarch? What treason?

“Let me help you out with the facts: I don’t take/have never taken money from any money from oligarchs Ukrainian or…otherwise.

“I do run a nonprofit foundation. The HereRightMattersFoundation.org to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s unprovoked attack on Feb 24, 2022. I served in the military for nearly 22 years and my loyalty is to supporting the U.S. Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. That’s why I reported presidential corruption when I witnessed an effort to steal an election. That report was in classified channels and when called by Congress to testify about presidential corruption I did so, as required by law.

“You, Elon, appear to believe you can act with impunity and are attempting to silence your critics. I’m not intimidated.”

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We will not be intimidated! Here are the main reasons why Alexander Vindman is a hero:

Whistleblower in the Trump Impeachment Inquiry

In July 2019, Vindman, who was then the Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council, listened in on a phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the call, Trump asked Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden, a potential opponent in the 2020 presidential election, and his son Hunter Biden. Vindman was concerned about the implications of Trump's request and reported his concerns to the NSC's top lawyer, John Eisenberg. In October 2019, he testified before the House Intelligence Committee, corroborating the testimony of other witnesses and providing first-hand evidence of Trump's actions. His testimony was seen as a crucial part of the impeachment inquiry, which ultimately led to Trump's impeachment in the House of Representatives.

Standing Up Against Pressure and Intimidation

Vindman's decision to testify was widely seen as courageous, as he faced intense pressure and intimidation from Trump and his allies. Trump repeatedly attacked him on Twitter, calling him a "Never Trumper" and suggesting that he was disloyal to the United States. Despite these attacks, he remained steadfast in his commitment to telling the truth and upholding the Constitution. His testimony was marked by his calm and professional demeanor, which earned him widespread praise.

Defending the Constitution and the Rule of Law

Vindman's actions were motivated by a sense of duty to the Constitution and the rule of law. He believed that Trump's actions were a threat to national security and the integrity of the electoral process. By speaking out, he demonstrated his commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and the Constitution. Vindman's decision to testify came at great personal cost. He was subjected to intense media scrutiny, and his family faced harassment and intimidation. He also faced potential repercussions for his career, as he was a serving military officer at the time. Despite these risks, he chose to prioritize his duty to the country over his personal interests. His actions demonstrate a selfless commitment to public service and a willingness to put the nation's interests above his own.