The Pentagon is reviewing allegations that derailed the nomination of White House physician Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson to be Veterans Affairs secretary in order to determine if a formal investigation of any of the unconfirmed charges is warranted.
The Defense Department has made no decision as to whether an investigation will be launched, or if it is, who would do it, a Pentagon spokesman said Tuesday.
“The DoD Inspector General is aware of the allegations and is assessing what investigations and reviews have already been conducted related to these issues, any jurisdictional issues that may relate to the allegations, and the scope of the allegations and complaints related to these issues,” said Tom Crosson, deputy director of press operations.
“The Inspector General’s office will determine what investigations or actions are warranted regarding these allegations and complaints,” he said.
Besides the VA nomination, Jackson was also separately nominated to be promoted and get a second star, a move that would require Senate confirmation.
A Navy spokesman confirmed Monday that while Jackson remains assigned to the White House medical unit, he is no longer serving as the president’s attending physician.
In a statement Monday, the White House said only that Jackson is still assigned to the White House, and that there were “no personnel announcements at this time.”
As Jackson’s nomination was pending before the Senate, several coworkers came forward and accused the doctor of overprescribing medication, creating a hostile work environment, getting drunk on the job and crashing a government vehicle. Jackson took himself out of contention last week.
