Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) lifted her hold on military promotions after being assured by the Department of Defense that high-level officials werent blocking the promotion of an officer who testified against President Donald Trump.
Duckworth, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced earlier this month that she would block every promotion unless Secretary of Defense Mark Esper promises that he didnt or will not block the promotion of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman.
The senator said Tuesday that she received that confirmation.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed in writing that Vindman was selected by the Army promotion board to be promoted to Colonel; that the Secretary of the Army approved the recommendation and submitted it to the Pentagon for approval; and that the department signed off on and submitted the Army promotions packet without modification to the White House.
Because she received the communication from the Pentagon, Duckworth said she wont object to the remaining promotions when the Senate returns to session the week of July 20.
“Donald Trumps unprecedented efforts to further politicize our military by retaliating against Lt. Col. Vindman—for doing his patriotic duty of telling the truth under oath—are unconscionable,” Duckworth said in a statement.
“Im glad the Department of Defense was finally able to set the record straight that Vindman had earned and was set to receive a promotion to Colonel. We must always protect the merit-based system that is the foundation of our Armed Forces from political corruption and unlawful retaliation.”
Trump repeatedly criticized Vindman after the officer testified against the president during last years impeachment inquiry in full uniform. But theres no evidence that he retaliated against Vindman, though the officer was removed ahead of schedule from the White House National Security Council.
House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said during a July 8th appearance on MSNBCs “The Beat” that Trump took actions “essentially pushing both he and his brother out of their positions at the National Security Council” and alleged the White House bullied the siblings.
Vindman will not receive his promotRead More From Source
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