President Trump is standing by Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, his pick to the lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, after he said he would understand if the embattled White House physician withdrew his nomination from the Senate.
White House officials arrived at work Tuesday unsure whether Jackson would remain a nominee for VA secretary by the end of the day, after a pair of lawmakers postponed his Senate confirmation hearing pending an investigation into allegations of excessive drinking and improper drug distribution. Jackson has served as a presidential physician since 2006.
“It is our privilege to serve veterans and their families and it is our duty to ensure that the individual who serves as Secretary of Veterans Affairs is qualified, capable, and appropriate for the position,” Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., wrote Tuesday in a letter to the president.
Hours later, Trump said Jackson was free to take himself out of the running for VA secretary, going so far as to say he himself would never willingly endure the public scrutiny Jackson is likely to face in the coming days.
“I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t do it. What does he need it for? To be abused by a bunch of politicians that aren’t thinking nicely about our country?” Trump mused during a joint press conference with his French counterpart. “I really don’t think personally he should do it, but it’s totally his … decision.”
But by Tuesday evening, after Trump met with Jackson in the Oval Office, the White House came to his defense.
A senior White House official pushed back on an Associated Press report Jackson had once been recommended for removal from his position in the West Wing, and blamed his current troubles on “a bitter ex-colleague.”
“He has improved unit morale, received glowing reviews and promotions under Republican and Democrat presidents, and has been given a clean vet from the FBI,” the official said, adding that Jackson “has never been the subject of an Inspector General review.”
However, the same official shared copies of a 2012 assessment by former President Barack Obama’s medical inspector general that focused on both former White House physician Jeffrey Kuhlman and Jackson. The official claimed the report was requested by Jackson.
According to the official, the report proved Kuhlman was disproportionately to blame for weakened morale inside the White House medical unit during his and Jackson’s tenure. The same report said Jackson exhibited “unprofessional behaviors” during his interactions and disputes with Kuhlman.
Isakson delayed Jackson’s hearing indefinitely Tuesday, saying the Senate needs time to review the validity of the allegations made against him before proceeding with a confirmation hearing. Some veterans advocates said they were surprised by the claims surrounding Jackson, but were pleased to see the Senate panel performing its duties.
“Thank God the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee is one that actually does work together. I have full faith in the chairman and the ranking member’s ability to determine whether Adm. Jackson is qualified,” John Rowan, national president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, told the Washington Examiner.
Meanwhile, a source involved in Jackson’s confirmation preparations said there was very little vetting performed by the White House prior to the announcement of his nomination to lead the second-largest executive agency. The same source said Jackson struggled to answer questions about his management experience — a primary concern of several lawmakers who would ultimately be voting on his confirmation — during trial runs for his hearing.
“With these allegations surfacing, we’ll go back to the drawing board. We’ll try and think of new questions he’s going to face, but we can only prepare him so much,” the source said.
Jackson offered no signs Tuesday he intends to withdraw his name from nomination, instead telling reporters at the Capitol he was disappointed by the delay.
“I’m looking forward to the hearing, so we can sit down and I can explain everything to everyone and answer all the senators’ questions,” he said.
