(POL)(WHISTLEBLOWER) Very interesting testimony scheduled for tomorrow. Lt. Colonel Vindman, an Army officer assigned to the White House as the Ukranian specialist for the National Security Council, he was on the call between President Trump and President Zelensky.
Allegedly he protested twice about undue influence on Ukranian policy threatening national security, once before and once after the call, confronted Ambassador Sondland directly over what was going on, and drafted two memos of concern to the NSC attorneys at the *request* of NSA Bolton outlining his concerns in addition to being present at many of the key conversations and events.
Basically if Taylor was the outsider establishing the framework of quid pro quo and diplomatic risk, Colonel Vindman appears to be the insider establishing a similar framework less about quid pro quo - and more about a national security risk emerging from the shadow-policy being run by Guliani.
Bolton may or may not testify, but his presence looms large in this as a central figure. And even if he doesn't testify, his actions are coming into clearer focus that there was strong opposition and awareness this was inappropriate *within* the White House and concerns were either ignored or overruled from both professional and appointee staff.
I'll post the opening statement
