House GOP leader says reassignment of Vindman was appropriate

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyDemocrats press Trump, GOP for funding for mail-in ballots Top GOP lawmakers push back on need for special oversight committee for coronavirus aid Stocks move little after record-breaking unemployment claims MORE (R-Calif.) said Lt. Col. Alexander VindmanAlexander VindmanAmerica's diplomats deserve our respect White House withdraws nomination for Pentagon budget chief who questioned Ukraine aid hold Juan Williams: Will the GOP ever curb Trump? MORE wasn't fired by President TrumpDonald John TrumpMilitary personnel to handle coronavirus patients at facilities in NYC, New Orleans and Dallas Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort has total of 20 patients: report Fauci says that all states should have stay-at-home orders MORE, but reassigned, and it was appropriate.

 

“Is it appropriate for the news to say he was fired when he was not, he was reassigned?” McCarthy told reporters during a press conference on Tuesday. “I think that is appropriate.”

 

Vindman was escorted out of the White House on Friday and removed from his temporary position on the National Security Council, just days after the Senate voted to acquit Trump on impeachment charges.

 

Vindman had offered damaging testimony against Trump in the House impeachment hearings, and his removal from the NSC was seen as payback. He was moved back to the Pentagon through Friday's decision.

 

Gordon SondlandGordon SondlandWhite House withdraws nomination for Pentagon budget chief who questioned Ukraine aid hold Juan Williams: Will the GOP ever curb Trump? House wants documents on McEntee's security clearances MORE, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, was also removed from his position on Friday. Vindman's twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, was also reassigned from his position as a White House attorney to the Department of the Army.

 

Sondland also testified in the impeachment hearing about Trump's efforts to get Ukraine to conduct politically-motivated investigations of former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenOvernight Health Care: Global coronavirus cases top 1M | Cities across country in danger of becoming new hotspots | Trump to recommend certain Americans wear masks | Record 6.6M file jobless claims The Memo: Scale of economic crisis sends shudders through nation The Hill's Campaign Report: Coronavirus forces Democrats to postpone convention MORE. Yevgeny Vindman was not a witness in the impeachment proceedings. 

Democrats have blasted the removal of Vindman and Sondland, while Republicans have offered support for the president. 

Rep. Mark MeadowsMark Randall MeadowsMeadows sets up coronavirus hotline for members of Congress The Hill's 12:30 Report: McConnell, Pelosi at odds over next relief bill The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Trump blends upbeat virus info and high US death forecast MORE (R-N.C.) said the decision was not motivated by an urge to retaliate against administration officials over participating in the impeachment proceedings, but an effort to get Trump's team on the same page. 

“This is not about getting even, this is about having a team around you that's willing to support your agenda. Listen, this is the only president who can run on his accomplishments in the first three years and still run against his own administration because part of his administration is trying to defeat the Trump agenda,” Meadows said during an appearance on "Fox & Friends."