White House officials and key senators are worried Ronny Jackson, President Trump’s nominee to replace David Shulkin as Veterans Affairs secretary, won’t be confirmed by the Senate, according to a report.
Despite Trump aides investing time and energy into preparing Jackson for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday, there are concerns he doesn’t have the managerial experience to lead the second-largest federal government agency, per Axios.
Similar fears have been expressed by Republicans serving on the panel, including Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D.
The White House is also investigating the legitimacy of complaints made to Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, the ranking member of the committee, regarding Jackson’s conduct in the U.S. Navy, sources told the news outlet.
Jackson, a Navy rear admiral, has served as the White House physician for former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and now Trump.
He joined the Navy after graduating from Texas A&M University in 1991 and the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1995.
Jackson was nominated after Trump fired scandal-plagued Shulkin via Twitter on Mar. 28.
