Rachel Vindman, wife of Alexander Vindman, sparked outrage on Sunday by mocking the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. In a dismissive and callous tweet, she wrote, “No ears were harmed. Carry on with your Sunday afternoon,” referencing the fact that Trump was shot in the head during an assassination attempt just two months ago. When faced with backlash, she doubled down, adding, “Sorry you’re triggered. I mean no I’m not. I don’t care a little bit.”

Rachel Vindman’s comments come from a family that has long been at the center of political controversy. Alexander Vindman, who played a key role in Trump’s impeachment by portraying a phone call with the president of Ukraine as corrupt, was once hailed as a nonpartisan military man by the mainstream media. In reality, it has become clear that both Vindman brothers—Alexander and Eugene—are deeply entrenched in partisan politics, driven by a clear anti-Trump agenda.

The shooter in Sunday’s assassination attempt, Ryan Wesley Routh, has a documented history of far-left political leanings, including fervent support for Ukraine, echoing the Democratic Party’s obsession with the conflict. His devotion to Ukraine was so extreme that The New York Times had written about his efforts to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. Yet, instead of condemning the violence, the Vindman family seems more focused on pushing their political narrative.

Violence against any elected official should never be celebrated or dismissed. This is now the second assassination attempt on former President Trump in a few weeks. Our country needs to continue to work to come together, as one, and be united against the challenges we face both… pic.twitter.com/IIXDBHSjc9

— Derrick Anderson (@DerrickforVA) September 15, 2024

Eugene Vindman, now the Democratic nominee for Congress in Virginia’s 7th district, is running on a platform that prioritizes support for Ukraine and rails against Republican efforts to reform federal employment, such as Trump’s proposed “Schedule F” reforms. Meanwhile, his wife’s rhetoric underscores how far removed the Vindman family is from the centrist tradition of the district they hope to represent.

Republican candidate Derrick Anderson condemned Rachel Vindman’s remarks, calling on his opponent Eugene Vindman to denounce her vile rhetoric. Eugene responded with a vague statement about political violence but refused to mention Trump by name. The refusal to directly address the assassination attempt on Trump—while acknowledging political violence only in the abstract—shows how deep the Vindmans’ disdain for Trump goes.

Alexander Vindman, rather than condemning the attempted murder of a former president, lashed out at Trump and his supporters, blaming Trump’s “rhetoric” for supposedly inciting violence. This is despite the fact that Trump has been the target of multiple assassination attempts, while no one has attempted to harm President Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris.

Look at what @AVindman reposts — while his degenerate wife jokes about a second assassination attempt against Donald Trump. https://t.co/5g9qb4Mo0R pic.twitter.com/PbRFA9Dmbi

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) September 15, 2024

This kind of rhetoric, especially coming from individuals who once held high-level positions in the National Security Council, only serves to validate Trump’s warnings of a “deep state” working against him. The Vindman family’s blatant partisanship, particularly their vitriolic hatred for Trump, has exposed the lie that career government officials are “nonpartisan” or above politics. Their conduct not only tarnishes their own reputations but also erodes the credibility of those who claim to serve in government without bias.

Eugene Vindman’s campaign focuses on stoking fear of Trump’s return to power, warning that his proposed Schedule F reforms would lead to job losses for federal workers in northern Virginia. At the same time, his platform prioritizes supporting Ukraine and NATO, placing foreign interests at the forefront of his agenda. This focus raises serious questions about his priorities as a candidate, particularly in a district that has historically preferred centrism.

While Virginia’s 7th district was once a Republican stronghold, its recent political leanings have shifted. However, the Vindmans’ extreme rhetoric and overt partisanship could alienate the very voters they need to win. With former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and further-right Republican David Brat once representing the district, it’s clear that the district’s preferences do not align with the radicalism on display from the Vindman family.