Trump: Nominee for VA could quit
— President DonWASHINGTON ald Trump said Tuesday that he is standing behind Ronny Jackson to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, but suggested his embattled nominee should drop out because of what Trump characterized as “ugly allegations”
that have surfaced. “I don’t want to put a man
through a process like this,” Trump said when asked about Jackson’s nomination during a
joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. “It’s too ugly, and it’s too disgusting.”
Trump said a decision about whether to proceed would be left to Jackson.
“Isaid toDr. Jackson, what do you need it for?” Trump said.
Jackson, the White House physician and a former combat surgeon, was scheduled to testify before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs today. But the hearing has been delayed because of concerns about his qualifica-
tions and oversight of the White House medical staff, as well as other allegations about Jackson’s conduct that have been shared with the committee.
“We’re gonna have a hearing at some time in the future, but not Wednesday,” said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., the chairman of the panel.
Jackson declined to comment on the accusations as he arrived on Capitol Hill for meetings with senators on Tuesday.
“No, I’m looking forward to the hearing,” he said. “I was looking forward to doing it tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to getting it rescheduled and answering all the questions.”
In a statement earlier Tuesday, White House spokesperson Hogan Gidley said the White House continues to support Jackson.
“Admiral Jackson’s record of strong, decisive leadership is exactly what’s needed at VA to ensure our veterans receive the benefits they deserve,” Gidley said.
Isakson and Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said in a joint statement the hearing was being postponed “in light of new information presented to the committee.”
“We take very seriously our constitutional duty to thoroughly and carefully vet each nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation,” the statement said.
Isakson and Tester also wrote to Trump Tuesday morning, asking the White House to provide all documents related to Jackson’s service in the White House medical unit, as well as all communications between the Pentagon and the White House military office since 2006 that involve allegations or incidents connected to the physician. The senators also requested information the White House has about any allegations involving Jackson that was never relayed to the Pentagon.
The committee began investigating the allegations raised against Jackson late last week, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a member of the panel, who stressed the claims are unsubstantiated.
Both Isakson and Tester declined to comment on the specifics of the allegations surrounding Jackson, including whether the accusations are detailed in documents or through word-ofmouth interviews, and when they specifically began the investigation.
Isakson said the confirmation hearing is being delayed because the committee needs “some time to get more information.”