2/COL Vindman (brother of @AVindman), who challenged Pres Trump's actions re: #Ukraine, retires on 8/31 aft 25+ years active @USArmy. Not by choice. Following stellar career ruined by Trump NSC, #Army put him out to pasture in position usually filled by junior officer. Why?
3/In Nov 2021, COL Vindman requested @POTUS allow him to retire as COL (only has 14 months in grade instead of normal 3 years). Given unique circumstances, it is appropriate to reward, rather than punish, an individual who stepped forward & successfully challenged US President.
4/We filed #whistleblower complaint for COL @YVindman. In May 2022 @DoD_IG concluded he was unlawfully retaliated against & suffered "unfavorable personnel actions".
Yet nothing was done to provide him with favorable remedy. His @USArmy career was over.
5/We heard silence from WH, despite our efforts. We heard silence from @DeptofDefense, despite our efforts. Members of Congress even tried, to no avail.
Although 10 USC 1370(b)(3) gives ONLY @POTUS authority to rule on this waiver request, @USArmy refused to forward to WH. Why?
6/In response to our efforts to bring this to @POTUS attn, suddenly Secretary of Army inappropriately issues denial decision w/o authority & no explanation whatsoever.
Please RT this thread & promote to elected officials & media that @POTUS grant waiver.
END/As the op-ed states:
"The president should send all military officers, indeed all government officials, his own message: Those who do the right thing for the country at personal risk shall be honored."
POSTSCRIPT/I should add COL @YVindman offered to take other positions commensurate w/experience & past stellar performances, such as helping @StateDept/@TheJusticeDept investigate #Russian war crimes in #Ukraine.
We (@JohnPhillips/@BradMossEsq) are now rep'ing Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) who has been sued for defamation by President Trump's 1st National Security Advisor #MichaelFlynn.
2/Enforcement of the rule of law is an important and valuable principle in our Democracy. Unfortunately, the law can be abused as a weapon to try and intimidate those who stand up against government corruption and misconduct.
3/As part of MAGA’s efforts to silence those who challenge their actions to undermine Democracy, President Trump’s former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, who in 2017 pled guilty to a felony count of “willfully and knowingly” making false statements to the FBI ...
3/After weeks of failed attempts to negotiate mutual date, which is what professionals do, we properly issued Notice of Deposition on May 30 for today. Even though #Grenell is Plaintiff & chose VA as his venue, he does not wish to travel from CA for his deposition.
2/If individuals made protected disclosure to supervisor in employee’s direct chain of command, an OIG or appropriate congressional committee or its members, they are protected #whistleblowers.
Doesn't mean they are credible or accurate, but attacking status undermines system.
3/I served as co-counsel to IC #whistleblowers whose complaint led to Trump's 1st impeachment (not our objective). Cong. Jordan was hypocritically a key attacker of WBer's lawful & legitimate status. It was wrong then, it is wrong now.
I will be appearing in Montgomery County Maryland District Court Monday afternoon to represent driver ticketed by @MDSP for flashing headlights at car that dangerously cut them off.
2/I've been down this route before. In 2009, I was ticketed for flashing my headlights at Montgomery County speed trap. I challenged ticket as being unconstitutional & lawful.
3/Ticket was dismissed. @mcpnews admitted my actions were lawful. Then Police Chief #TomManger (now @CapitolPolice Chief) personally apologized to me, which I accepted as sincere, & I dropped my plan to file lawsuit.
NEWS ALERT: @MarkSZaidPC reps more than 2 doz federal #AHI victims & family members. Below is our statement in response to IC Assessment findings issued today.
We already have #FOIA litigation to compel release of report & @ODNIgov must update Court by March 20th.
2/Full statement reads:
"My firm represents more than two dozen federal AHI victims from within the Intelligence, Military, Law Enforcement and Diplomatic communities who experienced incidents domestically and overseas....
3/This also includes minor children of our dedicated workforce who are also victims of these AHIs. Our representation started a decade ago.
The latest U.S. intelligence assessment lacks transparency and we continue to question the accuracy of the alleged findings....
We just filed new fed lawsuit against #Trump & two criminal defs for wrongful death of @CapitolPolice Ofc #BrianSicknick arising from #January6th insurrection/coup attempt. #Accountability
Our legal team is: @PhilAndonianEsq @mattkaiser @noahbrozinsky @BradMossEsq
Official media release:
Any recovery from this lawsuit by Officer #BrianSicknick's estate, represented by longtime partner #SandraGarza, for his wrongful death due to #January6th is planned to be donated to charity.