White House leaps to VA pick’s side
Trump urges pick to fight on despite ‘disgusting’ process
WASHINGTON — The White House rallied around Ronny Jackson’s nomination to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs late Tuesday as the president’s former doctor was besieged by complaints that he improperly prescribed drugs, created a hostile workplace and became intoxicated on duty.
The administration’s decision to defend the VA nomination came hours after Trump suggested at a news conference that Jackson should consider pulling out because of the “abuse” he was facing. But by late afternoon, Trump huddled with Jackson, and White House aides vowed to fight the charges.
A White House official said Trump urged Jackson to keep fighting, according to the Associated Press.
But earlier, when asked about Jackson’s nomination during a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump said, “I don’t want to put a man through a process like this. It’s too ugly, and it’s too disgusting.”
He added, “I said to Dr. Jackson, ‘What do you need it for?’ To be abused by a bunch of politicians? ... If I was him ... I wouldn’t do it.”
Jackson’s worsening problems flared into view Tuesday when lawmakers delayed his confirmation hearing once scheduled for Wednesday. The nomination was postponed by Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson, the Republican chair of the veterans committee, and Sen. Jon Tester, the ranking Montana Democrat. Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson leaves a Senate office building Tuesday after meeting members of the veterans committee.
Later Tuesday, Tester said during an NPR interview that the committee had heard complaints from more than 20 current and former military members that Jackson had improperly given drugs, had become intoxicated on professional trips and belittled staffers.
“We were told stories where he was repeatedly drunk while on duty where his main job was to take care of the most powerful man in the world,” Tester said. “That’s not acceptable.”
Hours after Trump’snews conference, more allegations emerged about Jackson, including a 2012 government report obtained by the AP that said he exhibited “unprofessional behavior” and should be removed from his post.
“There is a severe and pervasive lack of trust in the leadership that has deteriorated to the point that staff walk on ‘eggshells,’ ” the report found.
It was another episode where a previously respected figure was lifted to prominence in Trump’s orbit — only to have their sheen and reputation tarnished. Jackson had been widely hailed by three presidents and their aides as competent, charming and fiercely protective before Trump stunned Washington last month by picking him to run the country’s second- l argest federal agency.
Senior aides said Jackson has showed no willingness to drop out as he trudged through meetings Tuesday afternoon with senators on Capitol Hill. Privately, he dismissed some of the charges to senior aides, according to administration officials, and said he was being unfairly attacked.
“No, I’m looking forward to the hearing,” Jackson said.
White House officials said they were aware of accusations that Jackson gave out medicine to aides or others, including reporters, without rigorous scrutiny. But several senior officials said the drugs were usually nonnarcotic drugs, like Ambien. They also said Jackson was never intoxicated or drinking while working in the White House near Trump.
In a meeting with Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., on Capitol Hill, Jackson denied any wrongdoing, the senator said.
“He does deny that he’s done anything wrong in his service to the country and particularly his time at the White House as a physician in the medical unit,” Moran said.
Jackson “indicated that he knows of nothing that would prohibit him from being qualified, capable and the right person to be secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
Jackson’s nomination also marked the shattering of another norm in Trump’s Washington: VA secretaries have historically been approved unanimously.
The president left David Shulkin, a Barack Obama nominee, in the job. But he soured on Shulkin and removed him after an inspector’s general report showed he took exorbitant trips and misled others about them.
There was uncertain congressional support for Jackson, a longtime presidential physician with little management experience, even before questions were raised about his conduct.
It was unclear why White House aides had not reviewed the allegations before Jackson was nomi- nated last month. He was picked seemingly on a whim by Trump, who fondly calls him “the Doc” and did not formally interview him before nominating him — and ousting Shulkin — by tweet.
Concerns about Jackson were bipartisan.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., remained uncommitted to supporting the nominee, and a number of senior GOP aides on Capitol Hill estimated his chances of confirmation were slim.
Sen. Patty Murray, a member of Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said Trump didn’t take the time to fully vet a nominee.
“It is sloppy, it is disrespectful to our veterans and it is wrong,” Murray, DWash., said.