Page:Impeachment of Donald J. Trump, President of the United States — Report of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives.pdf/617

 'Lieutenant Colonel Alexander S. Vindman, Director for Ukraine, National Security Council'

On October 29, President Trump tweeted that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is a “Never Trumper.”$409$ When asked by a reporter what evidence he had for his claim, the President responded: “We’ll be showing that to you real soon. Okay?”$410$ President Trump continued attacking Lt. Col. Vindman during his testimony on November 19, seeking to question his loyalty to the United States. The President retweeted: “Lt. Col. Vindman was offered the position of Defense Minister for the Ukrainian Government THREE times!”$411$ Allies of the President also questioned Lt. Col. Vindman’s loyalty to the country and amplified the smear.$412$

For his part, Lt. Col. Vindman stated during his testimony:

"I want to take a moment to recognize the courage of my colleagues who have appeared and are scheduled to appear before this Committee. I want to state that the vile character attacks on these distinguished and honorable public servants is reprehensible.$413$"

'Ambassador William B. Taylor, Jr., Chargé d’Affaires for U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Department of State'

On October 23, one day after Ambassador William Taylor’s deposition, the President sent a tweet comparing “Never Trumper Republicans” to “human scum.”$414$ An hour later, he described Ambassador Taylor in a tweet as a “Never Trumper.”$415$

On October 25, the President discussed Ambassador Taylor’s testimony with reporters, and again dismissed the Ambassador as a “Never Trumper.” After a reporter noted that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had hired Ambassador Taylor, the President responded: “Hey, everybody makes mistakes.” He then had the following exchange about Ambassador Taylor:

On the morning of November 13, just before Ambassador Taylor and George Kent testified at a public hearing, the President tweeted: “NEVER TRUMPERS!”$416$

'Jennifer Williams, Special Advisor for Europe and Russia, Office of the Vice President'

On November 17, two days before Jennifer Williams testified at a public hearing, President Trump sent a tweet attacking her and stating that “she should meet with the other Never Trumpers, who I don’t know & mostly never even heard of, & work out a better presidential attack!”$417$ During the hearing, Rep. Jim Himes asked Ms. Williams what impression the President’s tweet had made on her. She responded: “It certainly surprised me. I was not expecting to be called out by name.” Rep. Himes noted that the tweet “surprised me,