Alexander Vindman

"Vindman" redirects here. For his brother and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, see Eugene Vindman.

Alexander Vindman
Олександр Віндман
Vindman in 2019
Director for European Affairs for the United States National Security Council
In office
July 2018 – February 7, 2020
PresidentDonald Trump
Personal details
Born (1975-06-06) June 6, 1975 (age 49)
Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Kyiv, Ukraine)
RelativesYevgeny Vindman (brother)
EducationBinghamton University (BA)
Harvard University (MA)
Johns Hopkins University (DIA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1999–2020
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/warsIraq War
Awards Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2)
Army Commendation Medal (4)
Army Achievement Medal (2)
Army Valorous Unit Award
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

Alexander Semyon Vindman[1][2] (born Aleksandr Semyonovich Vindman,[a] June 6, 1975)[3] is a retired United States Army lieutenant colonel who was the Director for European Affairs for the United States National Security Council (NSC) until he was reassigned on February 7, 2020. Vindman is currently director for a think tank, the Institute for Informed American Leadership (IIAL).[4] Vindman came to national attention in October 2019 when he testified before the United States Congress regarding the Trump–Ukraine scandal. His testimony provided evidence that resulted in a charge of abuse of power in the first impeachment of Donald Trump.[5]

Commissioned in 1999 as an infantry officer, Vindman received a Purple Heart medal for wounds he received from an IED attack in the Iraq War in 2004.[6][7] Vindman became a foreign area officer specializing in Eurasia in 2008, and assumed the position of Director for European Affairs with the NSC in 2018. In July 2020, Vindman retired after 21 years in the military. He cited vengeful behavior and bullying by President Trump and administration officials after he complied with a subpoena to testify in front of Congress during Trump's impeachment hearings. At the time of his retirement, Vindman's promotion to the rank of colonel had been stalled abnormally by the administration.[8][9]

In February 2022, he unsuccessfully sued several Trump allies, alleging that they had intimidated and retaliated against him while he testified in Congress.[10][11][12]

  1. ^ "HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 571 Commending Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Semyon Vindman, USA, Ret".
  2. ^ "Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman on Having the Courage to Do the Right Thing". Daily Stoic. September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  3. ^ Volz, Dustin; Restuccia, Andrew; Hughes, Siobhan (October 29, 2019). "Parties Spar Over White House Aide in Combative Impeachment Hearing". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  4. ^ Alexander Vindman (February 2, 2023). "What Ukraine Needs to Liberate Crimea". Foreign Affairs. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Two Virginia candidates for Congress say democracy is at stake. It's there the campaigns part ways". AP News. October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference ArmyTimes 2019-10-29 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYTWhoIs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Wamsley, Laurel (July 8, 2020). "Vindman, Key Impeachment Witness, Retires Over 'Bullying, Intimidation' By Trump". NPR. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  9. ^ "Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman retires, citing campaign of 'bullying' and 'retaliation' by Trump after impeachment testimony". The Washington Post. 2020.
  10. ^ Wang, Amy B (February 2, 2022). "Alexander Vindman sues Trump Jr. and Giuliani, alleging retaliation over first Trump impeachment proceedings". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  11. ^ "Judge tosses Vindman's suit against Trump allies". Politico.
  12. ^ Kavi, Aishvarya (November 9, 2022). "Judge Dismisses Alexander Vindman's Lawsuit Against Trump Allies". The New York Times.


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