Friday, President Donald J. Trump (R) dealt with two key witnesses who testified in the House Democrats’ impeachment hearings. Trump fired Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, and removed Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman from his White House job with the National Security Council. Senate candidate Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-Montrose) defended the decision.
“President Trump deserves to have people working for him who are loyal and working to advance his agenda,” Byrne said in a statement.
The move was criticized as “payback” by many in the media.
“The liberal media just continues to act as the mouthpiece of the DNC!,” Byrne said.
The two officials provided critical testimony during the House inquiry into the president’s conduct with Ukraine. Trump had ordered members of the administration not to testify before the inquiries by the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees. Sondland and Vindman both defied those orders.
Both officials provided critical information about Trump during public hearings. Ambassador Sondland claimed that the president sought a “quid pro quo” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Lt. Col. Vindman was openly critical of President Trump’s conduct during a July 25 phone call with Pres. Zelenskiy.
Former Ambassador Sondland said in a statement Friday night, “I was advised today that the President intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union.”
The Alabama Political Reporter asked Trump Victory Committee member former State Representative Perry O. Hooper Jr. to comment on President Trump’s dismissal of Ambassador Sondland and National Security Aide Vindman and his brother.
“I applaud President Trump taking action and dismissing Sondland and the Vindman brothers. Every president has the right to have Foreign Policy Advisors and Ambassadors who share his policy values and priorities in this case America first in foreign policy and the “Peace Through Strength” doctrine. These three officials obviously did not share Presidents priorities. The President has nominated Federal Judges who are strict conservative constitutionalists. The Senate has confirmed these nominations. The President must have the same latitude to nominate and have confirmed Ambassadors who share his America first policies.”
Congressman Byrne represents Alabama’s First Congressional District. He is running for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Doug Jones (D). Sen. Jones voted for Trump’s conviction and removal on Wednesday. Rep. Byrne was vocally critical of Trump’s impeachment and was thanked Thursday by the President.
Byrne is in a crowded Republican Primary field that includes: former Chief Justice Roy Moore, State Representative Arnold Mooney, former Auburn head football Coach Tommy Tuberville, Ruth Page Nelson, businessman Stanley Adair, and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
The Republican primary is on March 3.
