Democrats press Pentagon watchdog to probe allegations of retaliation against Vindman brothers
By Olivia Beavers - 08/26/20 01:00 PM EDT
Four top Democrats are urging the Pentagon's watchdog to launch an investigation into whether there was a concerted effort to retaliate against two Defense Department officials tied to President Trump's impeachment inquiry.
In a Wednesday letter, the House Democrats asked acting Inspector General Sean O’Donnell to examine reports of retaliation against Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman, a key impeachment witness, and his twin brother, Yevgeny Vindman, who served as deputy legal adviser on the National Security Council (NSC).
The Democrats highlighted a "disturbing" complaint from Yevgeny Vindman filed earlier this month with the watchdog's office that detailed allegations of whistleblower reprisal against military personnel by White House officials.
"It raises disturbing new allegations which, if true, would further substantiate our concerns that he was retaliated against for making protected disclosures about potential legal and ethical violations committed by multiple White House officials, including President Trump," the Democrats wrote to the Department of Defense (DOD) inspector general (IG).
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https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/513753-democrats-press-pentagon-watchdog-to-investigate-allegations-of
