Key impeachment witness Vindman was labeled an “opportunist” by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who was swiftly rebutted by the witness.
During the first impeachment proceedings against former President Donald Trump, retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman made headlines as a witness. Now, he is under suspicion of trying to profit from the conflict in Ukraine by offering lucrative defense contracts through his private company.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), one of Vindman’s harshest critics during the impeachment investigation, released a statement to Fox News Digital in which she called him an “opportunist” and accused him of trying to make money off of everything from his attacks on the Trump administration to his rumored dealings in Ukraine.
In a call with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in July 2019, Trump pressed Zelenskyy to investigate the Biden family’s activities and business dealings in Ukraine, particularly Hunter Biden’s ventures with Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings. This call became the catalyst for the first impeachment of Trump. Several Democrats and witnesses, including Vindman, have suggested a quid pro quo arrangement between the president’s request and the suspension of millions of dollars in U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
“The liberal media panics and desperately tries to provide cover for the left whenever a conservative speaks the truth. Just like they did for Hunter Biden, Dr. Fauci, and teacher’s unions, they did the same thing to Alexander Vindman “Blackburn said, referring to the support Vindman received from liberal media outlets throughout his testimony in the impeachment trial.
“Since the beginning of his professional life, Alexander Vindman has been a political activist and opportunist hiding in plain sight. He saw a chance for notoriety, so he capitalized on the press’s hatred of President Trump for financial gain “accusingly, she said.
“In the past three years, Vindman has been a regular on MSNBC and CNN, where he has relentlessly attacked Republicans. Now, emerging evidence suggests that Vindman, like he did when he spoke out against the Trump administration, may be financially benefiting from the conflict in Ukraine “As Blackburn pointed out.
As the CEO of Trident International LLC, Vindman has reportedly been lobbying the Ukrainian government for defense contracts. The report originally appeared in Human Events, a conservative online newspaper.
According to the report, Vindman, a native Ukrainian, proposed a $12 million project to the Ukrainian government last year to help with the country’s difficulties in managing the readiness, repair, and maintenance of its weapons systems. The proposed project would have created a center within the country to essentially act as a middle-man between NATO and the Ukrainian military.
According to reports, the facility would function in such a way that maintenance and repairs on weapons and other equipment could be performed more quickly and conveniently for the troops on the front lines.
Court documents cited in the report suggested a continuing dispute over project payments, casting doubt on whether the project has been approved.
Breitbart News states that Vindman, in a now-deleted tweet, appeared to confirm the claim made by Human Events.
“We appreciate the advertisement. I’m working on logistics to ensure Ukraine’s victory and the safety of the United States. Seeking financial support from charitable donors. Please get in touch if you believe in democracy and the safety of the United States “According to the allegations, Vindman posted on Twitter.
Vindman denied the allegations and accused Blackburn of lying and influencing his decision to leave the military in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“Blackburn, oh no. She’s a moron and a sower of discord who spreads false information. Not once has she told the truth about me. Her 2019–20 attacks exacerbated a situation that rendered my apolitical military service impossible to sustain “It was Vindman said.
He went on to say that the danger to Ukraine, Europe, and the United States was caused by the right-wing extremists who had “politicized” the country.