JW

"Vindman says that he became concerned in the spring of 2019 about “outside influencers promoting a false narrative of Ukraine inconsistent with the consensus views of the interagency.”" NOTE: the 'interagency' for national security is essentially the NSC (National Security Council) of which Vindman is a member/advisor.

https://libertyunyielding.com/2019/10/31/vindmans-policy-difference-with-the-president-is-what-has-trump-over-the-target-taking-flak/

Article 2, section 2 clause 2 of the US Constitution: He (the President) shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties,...

Clearly, the conduct of foreign policy is within the purview of the President as a matter of Constitutional law.

Lt. Col. Vindman became concerned about the Ukrainian phone call and other matters (Giuliani) because President Trump was apparently changing the relationship (narrative) between the USA and the Ukraine, i.e., he was not following the NSC scenario. It is understandable that that might be a concern to members of the NSC.

Simply put, it is the President, not the NSC, that determines US foreign policy. Apparently, the NSC doesn't understand its place in the scheme of things. It is advisory, not executive. Be concerned as it might, it is mandated to follow the lead of the President, not to lead the President.

My suggestion to President Trump, dissolve the NSC.

PeterS

Snip>>>“I did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen, and I was worried about the implications for the U.S. government’s support of Ukraine,” Colonel Vindman said in his statement. “I realized that if Ukraine pursued an investigation into the Bidens and Burisma it would likely be interpreted as a partisan play which would undoubtedly result in Ukraine losing the bipartisan support it has thus far maintained.”

Your version of Vindman's concerns had nothing to do with how he actually felt.

JW

You missed the point, Pete.

Once more, second guessing the President, no matter what one's concerns might be, is not within the purview of hirelings. Trump was exercising his Constitutional authority and Vindman was way out of line. The President has no obligation to clear his plans with anyone. His only obligation is to get Senate approval if he makes a deal somewhere.

You can go to your boss and tell him you are concerned about something he is doing but if you go to some law enforcement agency and lodge a complaint that your boss isn't running the company the way you want, they will laugh in your face.

That is what Vindman did the fact that the any branch of government paid any attention to it is proof of a Deep State.

waltmoreno

Who the hell cares about his opinion?!?! This isn't a whistleblower. This is a treasonous t*****r. Trump makes policy. If Vindman wants to make policy, then he should run for president and he can make policy AFTER he wins.
Until then he should carry out the policy of the Commander in Chief, even if he disagrees with it - or resign. Any other course of action is treason. End of story.

PeterS

What a bunch of bulls**t. The constitution doesn't give Trump the right to extort foreign powers for personal gain. Vindman swore an oath to the constitution and has a duty to uphold the rule of law. That, he did and if Trump had done the same there would have been no reason for Vindman to speak up in the first place.

As for the Deep State--so what if the government bureaucracy outlives a president. We have bureaucrats who have served this country honorably under Republican and Democratic presidents. To suggest there is something nefarious about that simply because they are standing up for the Constitution and the rule of law in the face of YOUR renegade president...Well, that's just so much more bulls**t, isn't it?

It's Trump who is violating his duty to the constitution. Nowhere in the constitution does it say that compliance with congress is optional depending on whether you agree with them or not. Yet that is the position that Trump has taken and to compound the error you minions are supporting him in his defiance. You conservatives are supposed to stand up for the constitution yet you are eager to betray it for political gain.

If there is a constitutional crisis that's it. It's the duty of each citizen to stand up for this country and constitution and to reject any politicians who abuse the same. You people are complicit in Trump's crime and because you enable him you are responsible for the division it's caused this country...

PeterS

Trump is free to make policy but he can't break US laws to do so. That's the end of story right there...

JW

You REALLY don't get it , do you...

How the Hell does Trump gain by investigating the 2016 e******n irregularities. Politico, not exactly Right wing, published a story in 2017 about Ukrainian interference in the 2016 e******n favoring Clinton. He has every right to investigate that since it constitutes a criminal violation of the US e******n laws. Manafort was removed as Trump campaign chairman and put under criminal suspicion directly because of that interference. In fact, we have a treaty signed by Bill Clinton making cooperation with the Ukraine, and they with us, mandatory in criminal matters.

As for swearing to uphold the law, Vindman made no such oath but his oath was to obey the President and yes, Trump did swear to uphold the law, only his oath went further. He is also sworn to ensure that the laws of the US are properly executed. Biden's extortion of the Ukraine, which he proudly bragged about on video, is a violation of the law. Quid pro quo is a deal. Extortion is a crime.

Whether the President is a renegade or not is not for you or the permanent government employees to determine. The Constitution has a prescription for that as well. When the employees start thinking they have the authority to thwart the boss, it's time for them to get the boot.

The Constitution does indeed declare that the President is not subordinate to the House. The President is the equal of the entire Congress and the entire Judiciary. The House has no authority to investigate the President unless they v**e as a House to impeach the President. They have still refused to do that. They have no authority to authorize themselves to investigate a co-equal branch of government.

Finally, if you really believed in the US Constitution then you would apply yourselves to getting the v**ers in line to v**e Trump out of office, not try to remove him by trying to invalidate the 2016 e******n. The division in this country is a direct result of an out of control Deep State and a complicit MSM doing their damnedest to complete a c**p. Those of you in America who have decided President Trump is guilty of an impeachable offense before the House indicts and the Senate convicts are the source of the division in this country.

When this whole thing finally shakes out, you and those like you will be held responsible for the Deep State crimes committed, and supported by you. If you refuse to accept the results of the Barr/Durham investigation and prosecutions that will follow, which I fully expect will be the case, you will be responsible for our second civil war.

rk

Did you read the transcript of Trump’s
Call?

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/25/trump-ukraine-phone-call-transcript-text-pdf-1510770

Or are you just parroting CNN propaganda?

dongreen76

It is within his purview to conduct foreign policy,not foreign extortion- which is a high crime..... might be a misdemeanor too.

JW

Whom did he extort. The only person he spoke with said no such thing happened.

Big Kahuna

Extorting foreign powers for personal gain is exactly what groper Joe Biden and his extorting, drug abusing son, H****r were doing. Where's your outrage?? Oh, that's right, you believe in demorat privilege.

Big Kahuna

The division caused in this country was pushed to a cascading crescendo under Fuhrer ovommit and he is the renegade responsible for the great divide going on right now. If anyone should be stomped on it's bathhouse Barry and his corrupt previous administration.

Big Kahuna

Right now Trump could break all the laws that are unlawful and most of us could care less. Ovommit broke all the laws that were lawful and got away with it and you were complicit. All you c*******ts should be imprisoned at Gitmo.

Big Kahuna

The whole demorat party should be impeached, period!!

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

Question: When is an extortion not an extortion?
Answer: When Biden gives Ukraine 6 hours to fire a prosecutor or lose one billion dollars.

Question: When is a non-extortion considered extortion?
Answer: When President Trump asks help from Ukraine to uncover corruption and does not threaten any reprisal.