National security adviser now says fired Vindman brothers weren't fired

National Security Council aide Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (left) is seen with twin brother, Army Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman in November. Both felt the wrath of President Trump. (Julio Cortez/AP)

National security adviser Robert O'Brien says there was "absolutely" no retaliation against Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and his twin brother, who were removed from their White House jobs last week in fallout from President Donald Trump's impeachment acquittal.

National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien

"Number one," O'Brien said, speaking to the Atlantic Council on Tuesday night, "they weren't fired."

The comments come just days after Trump did, in fact, fire Vindman and US ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland -- both key impeachment witnesses -- along with Vindman's twin, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, a National Security Council attorney.

An adviser to Trump had said the firings of the major impeachment witnesses was meant to send a message that siding against the President will not be tolerated. "Flushing out the pipes," the adviser told CNN. "It was necessary." Check CNN Here for the rest of the story:

O'Brien said he was the one who made the decision to "transfer" the Vindmans-- not Trump.  O’Brien said of the Vindmans, ”It was just time for them to go back, their service was no longer needed.”He noted they were not fired, but rotated out of the White House ahead of schedule. He confirmed they would be replaced.  Check AXIOS for complete story.