The loss of confidence was swift and unexplained.
James Byrne had served just under four months in the post of deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs when a nondescript statement was released Feb. 3 from Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie.
Byrne’s firing warranted no explanation in the two-line statement from Wilkie, “Today, I dismissed VA Deputy Secretary James Byrne due to loss of confidence in Mr. Byrne’s ability to carry out his duties.”
The decision was effective immediately.
It took 10 months for the deputy slot to be filled, with President Trump nominating Byrne in April and the Senate confirming him 81-11 in September. Byrne had served in an acting role since August. Before that, the Marine Corps veteran served as the department’s general counsel, joining the department from Lockheed Martin.
Byrne replaced Thomas Bowman, who resigned in June 2018. The VA did not indicate how long the position might remain vacant.
The VA is responsible for overseeing more than 370,000 employees and the care of the nation’s veterans at some 1,243 facilities.
