Lt. Col. Vindman to describe his alarm over president’s call with Ukrainian leader, girding for Republican attack

By Tom Hamburger, Carol D. Leonnig and Rachael Bade
11/18/2019, 7:33:13 p.m.

The House impeachment hearing Tuesday is set to feature one of the Democrats’ star witnesses: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a Purple Heart recipient who is expected to testify about his alarm at President Trump’s request that Ukraine investigate his political opponents.

But Republicans are also seizing on Vindman’s testimony as an opportunity, signaling that they plan to try to discredit one of the key witnesses in the inquiry by questioning his motives and his loyalty to the president.

The high-stakes appearance could provide some of the most contentious moments in the public hearings and set the tone as the inquiry heads into a busy week of testimony.

The spotlight will intensify the pressure on Vindman, who continues to serve in the White House as the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council. He previously told House lawmakers that he believed the president crossed a “disturbing” line when he asked the Ukrainian president for a “favor” during a July 25 call — that Ukraine investigate his Democratic rival Joe Biden.

Vindman, who was among those listening to the conversation, was so concerned that within an hour, he warned White House lawyers that the president’s actions were improper.

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