The wife of a former impeachment witness against President Donald Trump in 2019 downplayed the second assassination attempt on Sunday afternoon.
“No ears were harmed. Carry on with your Sunday afternoon,” Rachel Vindman, the wife of Alexander Vindman, posted on X.
The post repulsed GOP strategist and Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita, who called on the candidate to denounce his wife’s words.
“Her husband …a candidate for VA 7 …should condemn immediately,” LaCivita posted to X, mistaking Alexander Vindman for his brother, Eugene Vindman, who is running for the open seat in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
That seat is being left vacant by Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.).
“I condemn you. I condemn your lack of integrity, your attacks on immigrants, your desecration of Arlington National Cemetery,” Alexander Vindman fired back in a series of X posts accusing Trump and his supporters of stoking violence.
“Your candidate @realDonaldTrump has incited political violence for a decade. He could reduce the temperature of this election cycle. But you MAGA thrive on bullying. Fact is you are all weak,” he added.
“I am deeply disturbed by yet another attempt of political violence in our nation,” his brother Eugene wrote in his only X post on the near-assassination. “I am grateful that no one is hurt, and thankful for the law enforcement agents who acted bravely and swiftly in the line of duty.”
For her part, Rachel Vindman doubled down.
“Sorry you’re triggered. I mean no I’m not. I don’t care a little bit ,” she posted later on X.
“Trump has been inciting violence against his enemies for years. He douses a situation in gasoline, lights a match, & walks away claiming no responsibility,” she added. “Look at what is happening in Springfield, OH right now but he wants to claim he’s a victim. You cannot have it both ways.”
Here’s what we know about the assassination attempt on Trump in Florida:
- Former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach on Sept. 15, 2024.
- Trump sent out a statement to supporters soon after to report that he is “SAFE AND WELL.”
- The suspect — identified as Ryan Routh, 58, of Hawaii — was able to get between 300 to 500 yards of Trump at a chain link fence on the edge of the course where he had an AK-47 and a GoPro camera set up to apparently film the planned shooting.
- Routh has a history of supporting progressive causes online and has made 19 donations to Democratic candidates since 2019.
- A Secret Service agent spotted and opened fire on Routh as he put his gun through the fence. The suspect fled the scene and was arrested on I-95 a short time later.
- According to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Trump’s security detail was lighter because he isn’t a sitting president — despite the previous attempt on his life in July.
Conservative and Republican critics lashed out at Rachel Vindman for implying the first assassination attempt was also bloodless.
“The family of Corey Conperatore would like a word with Rachel Vindman,” conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt said in response.
“This [is] precisely what is wrong with our politics today,” added Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). “Your brother-in-law is running to be a member of Congress and you’re making light of political assassination attempts? Good grief.”
“Does this represent the stance of the whole Vindman family? Especially the one running for Congress?” asked Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.).
“Instead of hiding, Eugene Vindman must condemn this inflammatory rhetoric immediately,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Delanie Bomar said in a statement. “His silence can only be taken as agreement with Rachel Vindman’s rhetoric.”
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Mike Berg pointed out that President Biden had also hosted Rachel Vindman at the White House.
“Joe Biden met with this deranged lunatic at the White House,” he posted.
Rachel Vindman writes on a Substack account titled “Keep Moving Forward” and is the co-host of “The Suburban Women Problem” podcast.
Alexander Vindman was a key witness that led to House Democrats impeaching Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in 2019.
Democrats alleged that the 45th president wrongfully asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Democratic primary candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, while withholding a promised White House meeting and critical military aid for the US ally.
This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.
