Donald Trump suggests veterans affairs candidate could withdraw after 'ugly and disgusting' vetting process
President Donald Trump has suggested his embattled nominee to lead the veteran’s affairs department could withdraw his candidacy, after lashing out at the "ugly and disgusting" vetting process that saw serious concerns raised about Ronny Jackson's drinking and management.
Dr Jackson, 50, has found his candidacy to lead the second largest department in the federal government on hold, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday postponed, and no new date scheduled.
Mr Trump defended him, but hinted that Dr Jackson could withdraw his nomination, saying: “I would always stand by him. He’s a fine man. He has to listen to the abuse. The fact is, I wouldn’t do it. What does he need it for, to be abused by a bunch of politicians? I wouldn’t do it. But the decision is totally his.”
The Texan retired navy admiral was a surprise nominee to replace the respected David Shulkin, an experienced hospital administrator with a deep understanding of the veterans’ affairs medical system, who was fired last month.
Dr Jackson, appointed as White House physician by Barack Obama in 2013, has no experience of running a large government department and is widely believed to have been nominated to lead the department of 370,000 employees thanks to his annual report on the president’s health, which delighted Mr Trump.
"He's like central casting - like a Hollywood star," said Mr Trump, praising Dr Jackson in a speech to donors at his Mar-a-Lago resort in February.
The White House is believed to have done little or no vetting of his background before announcing his nomination on Twitter.
Before serving as a White House physician, Dr Jackson had deployed as an emergency medicine physician to Taqaddum, Iraq, during the Iraq war.
But Dr Jackon’s hearing has been postponed after the Senate veteran affairs committee was made aware of serious concerns about his background. The New York Times reported that whistleblowers told the committee of a hostile work environment, over-prescription of drugs, and Dr Jackson’s drinking.
“The Senate committee on veterans’ affairs is postponing the hearing to consider the nominee to be secretary of the US department of veterans affairs in light of new information presented to the committee,” said Johnny Isakson, Republican senator for Georgia, the committee chairman, and Jon Tester of Montana, its top Democrat, in a joint statement.
“We will continue looking into these serious allegations and have requested additional information from the White House to enable the committee to conduct a full review.”
A 2012 watchdog report obtained by AP found that Dr Jackson and Jeffrey Kulham, who led the White House medical team at the time, both exhibited "unprofessional behaviours" as they engaged in a power struggle.
The six-page report found a lack of trust in the leadership and low morale among staff members.
The report says staff members described the working environment as "being caught between parents going through a bitter divorce."
Mr Trump on Tuesday defended Dr Jackson.
“I haven’t heard of the particular allegations but he is one of the finest doctors I have met,” he said, speaking at a White House press conference with the French president, Emmanuel Macron.
“I know there is an experience problem. But there is an experience problem – we will take great care of our veterans, and we’ve done a great job. You could run the biggest hospital in the world and you still wouldn’t have the experience.
“I told Admiral Jackson – what do you need this for? This is a vicious group of people, that malign.
“He is an admiral and a great leader and they question him for every little thing.
“It’s totally his decision and he’ll be making a decision.”
Dr Jackson refused to discuss the allegations on Tuesday, but instead told reporters: “I’m looking forward to the hearing. I was looking forward to doing it tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to getting it rescheduled and answering all the questions.”
His troubles with the nomination process came as Mike Pompeo, Mr Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, secured the surprise approval of the Senate foreign relations committee.
The approval was secured when Rand Paul, a Republican senator for Kentucky, was won over by Mr Pompeo and agreed to his nomination.
