No offer to run veterans affairs, Perry declares,
Energy Secretary Rick Perry pushed back Wednesday on reports that he was being considered to replace David Shulkin as secretary of veterans affairs.
“I am energy secretary from now until the foreseeable future. Happily,” Perry told the American-Statesman.
The New York Times, the Associated Press and CNN, citing anonymous sources, reported Tuesday that Trump was poised to tap Perry for the veterans affairs post.
Asked about reports, Perry said: “I am never surprised by fake news.”
Shulkin, a holdover from the Obama administration, has been on shaky ground at an agency embroiled in intense bureaucratic infighting and amid an investigation by the VA inspector general into the possible misuse of travel funds on a trip to Europe that was allegedly more personal than business.
Perry, who joined the Air Force in 1972 and was discharged in 1977 with the rank of captain, had expressed interest in serving as secretary of veterans affairs before Trump named him to lead the Energy Department.
Trump hosted Perry at the White House for lunch Monday following a White House reception for the World Champion Houston Astros, but made no formal job offer, according to the news reports.
But, at the reception for the Astros, Trump while thanking Perry, added, “We love Rick, right? Did I do the right job with Rick? I think we did the right job.”
In July 2016 at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Perry told reporters that he would be interested in a Cabinet position in a Trump White House.
“The place that I’m passionate about is our veterans and about our military. So somewhere in that area is where I would be,” Perry said then.
Perry dedicated his brief reality television career on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” to veterans and raising awareness about their needs.
His long-time former spokesman and former chief of staff Ray Sullivan said, “I would expect that Secretary Perry knows he serves at the pleasure of the president, just as Perry’s appointees served at the pleasure of the governor.”
Sullivan added, “Personally, I think that stability is a benefit and Perry’s done very well at furthering the president’s energy vision. It would be great to continue.”
Even though the energy post is a plum assignment compared to the scandal-plagued VA, the White House has been looking for a quick way to replace Shulkin. A recent Washington Post report described a bunker mentality at the agency and said that a guard was placed outside Shulkin’s office — to protect him from his staff.