Pence aide testifying in impeachment inquiry cites Condoleezza Rice as 'personal hero'
Impeachment witnesses Jennifer Williams, a top foreign policy aide to Vice President Mike Pence, and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, made it clear in their opening statements before Tuesday's public hearing that their job is to serve the United States, above all else.
The fact that Williams works for the Republican vice president would seemingly be enough to get the point across, but Williams noted that she "swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, administered by a personal hero of mine, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice," who headed the State Department under former Republican President George W. Bush. She added that she's been a foreign service officer for 14 years and served under two Republicans and one Democratic administration.
Some observers viewed Williams' Rice reference as a way to prove her GOP background and establish credibility before Republican lawmakers during the hearing.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Vindman, an Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient, similarly touted his long and decorated career as a U.S. Army officer, dispelling notions of partisanship. Tim O'Donnell
