'A crime called libel': Experts outraged after torture advocate John Yoo accuses White House Ukraine expert Vindman of espionage on Fox News
Berkeley law professor John Yoo on Fox News Monday night suggested Purple Heart recipient Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine expert at the White House, is engaging in espionage. Laura Ingraham also tried to paint the current White House national security official, a decorated Iraq war veteran, as a double agent. There is nothing to suggest their accusations are true or valid.
Vindman, who was on Trump’s infamous July 25 call with the president of Ukraine and reported his concerns, is testifying Tuesday before House investigators.
“Here we have a U.S. national security official who is advising Ukraine, while working inside the White House, apparently against the president’s interest, and usually, they spoke in English. Isn’t that kind of an interesting angle on this story?” Ingraham posited.
Yoo, infamously wrote the discredited “Torture Memos” that enabled President George W. Bush to allow waterboarding, which is a war crime.
Yoo Tuesday night called Vindman’s situation “astounding,” and the added, casually, “You know, some people might call that espionage.”
Here’s the clip of Ingraham and Yoo:
Oh my God, look at the spin they are using right now, actually saying that Vindman is a Ukrainian double agent....t… https://t.co/jxsfdvjrPS— Andrew Lawrence (@Andrew Lawrence) 1572315264
Many, including experts, are expressing outrage on social media.
Professor of political science and former Ambassador to Russia:
This is just shameful. I really cannot believe that Mr. Yoo, a law professor @UCBerkeley , would insinuate that Col… https://t.co/agFhQGk2an— Michael McFaul (@Michael McFaul) 1572319843
Law professor and former federal prosecutor:
God forbid we should have national security professionals who can communicate with foreign officials in their nativ… https://t.co/8C5wzQZ85F— Joyce Alene (@Joyce Alene) 1572347385
Law professor and former U.S. Acting Solicitor General:
They are so desperate, they will say anything, anything, including flailing about to try and tear down this America… https://t.co/SOlA6t4sEJ— Neal Katyal (@Neal Katyal) 1572319442
Former Fed. Admin. Law Judge and GTMO Chief Prosecutor:
John Yoo, @IngrahamAngle and @AlanDersh have a combined total of ZERO military service. As close any of them ever… https://t.co/8XP0FITLqn— Moe Davis (U.S. Air Force, Retired) (@Moe Davis (U.S. Air Force, Retired)) 1572317803
Conservative columnist:
This is astonishing. The sheer number of American vets the Trumpists will insult, slander, and mock for the sake of… https://t.co/pyAas8I2VV— David French (@David French) 1572320617
Politico reporter:
John Yoo just casually accuses an Iraq War veteran/Purple Heart recipient of espionage. https://t.co/TaFOOGhiqO— Kyle Cheney (@Kyle Cheney) 1572318692
Professsor, NBC News and MSNBC Legal Analyst:
When people lack a defense, they become defensive. #LauraIngraham should lose her show for supporting Trumpism over… https://t.co/V6KmhYOyFH— Maya Wiley (@Maya Wiley) 1572351608
Former chief of staff to Vice Presidents Joe Biden and Al Gore:
John Yoo, who narrowly escaped referral to bar authorities for his torture memo, had the audacity to call a purple… https://t.co/nFOk9BFg0F— Ronald Klain (@Ronald Klain) 1572320138
