In an op-ed published Saturday by The Washington Post, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman spoke out about his decision to retire from the United States military after more than 21 years of service.
Vindman, who entered the national spotlight after he provided damaging testimony during the House's impeachment investigation about President Trump's infamous phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last year, said he decided to leave the Army amid a "campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation" by Trump, which he wrote reminded him more of the "authoritarian regime my family fled more than 40 years ago than the country I have devoted my life to serving," referring to the Soviet Union and the U.S., respectively.
Despite his personal concerns about the the federal government, Vindman said he stands by the conviction that he "will be fine for telling the truth," even amid the backlash from the White House. He also said he remains "hopeful" for the United States and will continue to "believe in the American Dream" and "defend my nation." Read the full op-ed at The Washington Post.
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