Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday that President Trump has “a pretty darn good Cabinet,” despite criticism from Democrats that it is significantly flawed.
Ryan pointed to Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo, who is poised to be confirmed today, as well as Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, as examples of good Cabinet picks.
“I think we have some stars,” Ryan said. “The president has put together by and large a pretty darn good Cabinet.”
Ryan, R-Wis., said he does not know if there is any truth to potentially “baseless” allegations against Ronny Jackson, who withdrew his nomination to serve as secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department amid accusations of drinking on the job and distributing pills inappropriately.
“We should find out if there is merit to these allegations and if there is, then proper oversight should be done,” Ryan said.
Ryan said he served under four presidents and all have had difficulties confirming nominees.
“There has never been an administration I’ve seen where you don’t have some of these hiccups in the process,” Ryan said.
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is on Capitol Hill today, where he is under fire from Democrats who accuse him of overspending on travel and office equipment.
