Schumer wants to protect whistleblowers amid Trump payback

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer is calling on nation’s 74 inspectors general to protect government whistleblowers amid President Donald Trump’s ouster of key government officials in impeachment probe.

In a letter Monday to Defense Department inspector general, Schumer said Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman has been “viciously attacked” by Republican president after “bravely stepping forward to tell truth.”

Vindman, a White House national security council official when he testified before House impeachment inquiry, was removed Friday and reassigned.

Vindman’s twin bror, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, also was asked to leave his job as a White House lawyer.

Also out Friday was Gordon Sondland, who had been Trump’s ambassador to European Union. Sondland was among 17 people who provided public and private testimony in impeachment proceedings .

firings, alongside efforts to name still anymous government whistleblower whose complaint about Trump’s call with Ukraine sparked impeachment probe, demand attention, Schumer said.

Similar letters are being sent to all 74 IGs calling on m to take immediate steps to investigate any “instances of retaliation against anyone who has made, or in future makes, protected disclosures of presidential misconduct to Congress or Inspectors General.”

Federal employees have rights, including under whistleblower law, that ensure y are protected through inspector general offices and are able to provide information to Congress, as part of legislative branch’s oversight role.

White House has stood by dismissals.