White House considering plan to dismiss Alexander Vindman: report

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Bret Baier highlights powerful moments from Lt. Col. Vindman's public impeachment testimony

NSC official, Pence aide testify on Capitol Hill; reaction and analysis from 'Special Report' anchor Bret Baier.

The White House is reportedly weighing options to dismiss Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from the National Security Council (NSC) in an effort to shrink its foreign policy bureaucracy, a report said.

Bloomberg reported that the White House plans to frame it as part of an NSC staff downsizing, not a retaliation. Vindman gave testimony last year during President Donald Trump's impeachment proceedings.

Vindman was an important witness for the Democrats in July and raised concerns over Trump's phone call with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky.

VINDMAN ACCUSES TRUMP OF MAKING IMPROPER UKRAINE 'DEMAND,' SAYS HE ALERTED INTEL OFFICIAL

National Security Council aide Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is sworn in to testify before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, during a public impeachment hearing of President Donald Trump's efforts to tie U.S. aid for Ukraine to investigations of his political opponents. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Vindman had drawn applause from spectators during his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee -- after expressing his love for America when asked how he overcame his fear of retaliation.

ALEXANDER VINDMAN DRAWS APPLAUSE DURING IMPEACHMENT HEARING TESTIMONY: 'THIS IS AMERICA ... HERE, RIGHT MATTERS'

"Congressman, because this is America. This is the country I have served and defended, that all of my brothers have served. And here, right matters," Vindman said. "I knew I was assuming a lot of risk. [My father] deeply worried about [my testimony]. Because in his context, it was the ultimate risk."

CNN reported that Vindman has been telling colleagues that he expects to be leaving the NSC and return to work at the Department of Defense.

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His departure is expected to be soon after Trump was acquitted in the Senate impeachment trial.

Fox News' Alex Pappas, Nick Givas and the Associated Press contributed to the report