The Lion's Den: Schumer calls on 74 inspectors general to investigate witness retaliation after Vindman ouster

Monday, February 10, 2020

Schumer calls on 74 inspectors general to investigate witness retaliation after Vindman ouster

Washington (CNN)Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sent a letter on Monday to all 74 federal government Inspectors General requesting investigations into "any and all instances of retaliation" against witnesses who have made "protected disclosures of presidential misconduct."

The letter comes days after President Donald Trump fired two key impeachment witnesses, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine expert at the national security council, and US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland. An adviser to Trump told CNN the firings of the major impeachment witnesses was meant to send a message that siding against the President will not be tolerated.

"Flushing out the pipes," the adviser told CNN. "It was necessary."

Acting Department of Defense Inspector General Glenn Fine was among the IGs who were contacted by Schumer.

Schumer writes in his letter to Fine that although Vindman "lived up to his oath to protect and defend our Constitution by bravely stepping forward to tell the truth, he has been viciously attacked by the President and forced to endure threats to his and his family's safety."

"These attacks are part of a dangerous, growing pattern of retaliation against those who report wrongdoing only to find themselves targeted by the President and subject to his wrath and vindictiveness," he said.

74 ?