Alexander Vindman
Alexander Semyon Vindman (Ukrainian: Олекса́ндр Семенович Ві́ндман; born June 6, 1975) is a retired United States Army lieutenant colonel who was the Director for European Affairs for the United States National Security Council (NSC) until he was reassigned on February 7, 2020. Vindman is currently director for the think tank the Institute for Informed American Leadership (IIAL).
Alexander Vindman | |
|---|---|
| Олександер Семенович Віндман | |
| Director for European Affairs for the United States National Security Council | |
| In office July 2018 – February 7, 2020 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 6, 1975 Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Kyiv, Ukraine) |
| Relatives | Yevgeny Vindman (brother) |
| Education | Binghamton University (BA) Harvard University (MA) Johns Hopkins University (PhD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1999–2020 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Purple Heart Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2) Army Commendation Medal (4) Army Achievement Medal (2) Army Valorous Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award Navy Unit Commendation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
Vindman came to national attention in October 2019 when he testified before the United States Congress regarding the Trump–Ukraine scandal. His testimony provided evidence that resulted in a charge of abuse of power in the First impeachment of Donald Trump.
Commissioned in 1999 as an infantry officer, Vindman received a Purple Heart medal for wounds he received from an IED attack in the Iraq War in 2004. Vindman became a foreign area officer specializing in Eurasia in 2008, and assumed the position of Director for European Affairs with the NSC in 2018.
In July 2020, Vindman retired after 21 years in the military. He cited vengeful behavior and bullying by President Trump and administration officials after he complied with a subpoena to testify in front of Congress during Trump's impeachment hearings. At the time of his retirement, Vindman's promotion to the rank of colonel had been abnormally stalled by the administration. In February 2022, he unsuccessfully sued several Trump allies, alleging that they had intimidated and retaliated against him while he testified in Congress.