Former Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin said he did not know he was about to be fired during a phone call with President Trump Wednesday, just hours before his ouster.
“We spoke about the progress that I was making, what I needed to do from a policy perspective to make sure that we’re fixing the issues in VA,” Shulkin told MSNBC host Chris Hayes during an interview Thursday evening. “Very focused. He was very inquisitive about the things that we were working on, making sure we were focused on the job at hand.”
Shulkin confirmed that the conversation happened before he had been fired.
“You spoke to him, he made no mention of the fact that he was about to terminate you?” Hayes asked.
“That’s correct,” Shulkin said.
Fmr. VA Secy. Shulkin tells @chrislhayes Pres. Trump made no mention of firing him during a phone call yesterday, then fired him via tweet #inners pic.twitter.com/VMftt6jVAG
— All In w/Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) March 30, 2018
Shulkin said prior to Trump’s tweet about his termination, he received a call from from chief of staff John Kelly, who warned him about what was to come.
“The chief of staff Kelly gave me a call, which I appreciated, gave me a heads-up,” Shulkin said. “But that was much after the phone call.”
Trump revealed Wednesday evening, via tweet, that Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, who has served as White House physician for former Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, as well as Trump, would be nominated to replace Shulkin.
“I am pleased to announce that I intend to nominate highly respected Admiral Ronny L. Jackson, MD, as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In the interim, Hon. Robert Wilkie of DOD will serve as Acting Secretary. I am thankful for Dr. David Shulkin’s service to our country and to our GREAT VETERANS!” Trump tweeted Wednesday.
Jackson must first be confirmed by the Senate. Robert Wilkie, the current undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, will be stepping in to serve as the acting Veterans Affairs secretary in the meantime.
