“Here, Right Matters: An American Story” with Lt. Col. Alexander S. Vindman (Ret.)

Submitted to VT by the Washington Post

In a wide-ranging interview with Washington Post Live today, Lt. Col. Alexander S. Vindman (U.S. Army, Ret.) shared his story from inside the Trump administration, penned in his new memoir, “Here, Right Matters: An American Story.”

On the possibility of running for elected office: “I would say that I’m very reluctant. People have actually approached me and suggested I run for office and I’ve put them off. I mean, there was a point in time where I was asked to speak at the Democratic convention and I’ve put all that kind of clearly partisan activity off. I have engaged with representatives and political actors that have offered a different perspective on how to continue service. […] It’s not something I’m ready for, and you know my wife will, would not support that. I just want to make sure I’m not being disingenuous if my perspective changes.” View Clip

On the events preceding former President Donald Trump’s fateful 2019 quid pro quo phone call with Ukraine: “Over the preceding months, you might recall, there were all sorts of stories starting to circulate that involved Ukraine, and elements of the president’s inner circle, including Rudolph Giuliani rabble-rousing and demanding the Ukrainians conduct an investigation into Hunter Biden, and in some way tarnish then former Vice President Biden. And all these things had been unfolding with some significant consequences. […]

Part of our inauguration of the presidential delegation to the inauguration was derailed when the president directed Vice President Pence to withdraw, based on the fact that the Ukrainians weren’t responding swiftly or seriously enough to these demands. […] All these things led up to two critical engagements: one July 10th, which was where Gordon Sondland suggested this quid pro quo investigation in exchange for a meeting, and then July 25th where the president’s own end became apparent. It was apparent then that the president was the driving force for this investigation.” View Clip

On whether Trump continues to pose a threat to U.S. democracy: “He’s an enormous threat. I was a reluctant actor on the political stage, I was drawn in kicking and screaming, I guess. […] I’m trying to not be drawn into purely partisan engagements but at the same time, I can make cold, hard calculations about the threat the former President of the United States Donald Trump poses.

He continues to pose a key threat based on propagating this lie that the election was stolen, in fact he was the one that was trying to steal the election from President Biden, who was lawfully elected. He attempted to launch an insurrection, he … continues to drive a wedge between the American public, on the left and right, and demonizes the Democratic party, or anybody that’s not a supporter of his. […] He’s a vile man that has done more damage to the United States than any other leader in recent U.S. history.” View Clip