Alexander Vindman believed he wouldn't be punished for telling the truth in America. Trump proved him wrong.

Julio Cortez/AP

• Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was on Friday fired from the National Security Council and escorted from the White House.
• He was a key witness in the House impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, which upset the president.
• During his opening statement, Vindman compared his situation to the Soviet Union of his youth, where whistleblowers were harshly punished.
• Directly addressing his father, he said: "Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth."
• After Trump was acquitted he quickly moved against Vindman. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham suggested "maybe people should pay" for crossing Trump.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Former National Security Council aide Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was fired from the White House on Friday — two days after President Donald Trump's acquittal in his bitter impeachment trial.

Vindman was a central witness, testifying publicly on November 19 before the House Intelligence Committee that Trump's behavior towards the president of Ukraine had troubled him deeply.

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