The White House had not been coy about whether Trump would retaliate against those he viewed as foes in the impeachment drama. Trump tweeted that he was “very surprised & disappointed” with Manchin’s votes, claiming no president had done more for his state. The Democrats angling to replace Trump took notice of Vindman’s ouster during their evening debate in Manchester, New Hampshire. “You think I’m supposed to be happy with him?” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House. Several career diplomats whose testimony during the impeachment hearings also helped Democrats build their case against Trump remain in their posts, in Washington and in Kyiv.

Source: Washington Post February 08, 2020 00:30 UTC