Dr. Destructo
Dems: VA pick drank, crashed, dished out opioids
DR. RONNY JACKSON, the longtime White House physician nominated by President Trump to run Veterans Affairs, “wrecked” a government vehicle after he got drunk at a going away party, wrote himself Percocet prescriptions and doled out a “large supply” of the powerful opioid to a White House military staffer, according to an explosive summary of allegations compiled by Democratic Senate staffers.
The new information cast further doubt over whether the Navy rear admiral would stick out the confirmation process for the cabinet position. The nominee huddled with top press aides late Wednesday night, fueling speculation of withdrawal.
Jackson’s misdeeds gained him the nickname “Candyman” and threw his medical staff “into a panic,” as they often scrambled to account for missing prescription pills, according to the summary.
The two-page summary lists allegations from 23 of Jackson’s former and current colleagues in three categories: prescription drug abuse, drunkenness and hostile workplace practices.
Jackson, 50, was tapped by Trump after the President fired VA Secretary David Shulkin last month in response to a swirling ethical scandal involving pricey taxpayer-funded travel.
But Jackson’s nomination was in doubt after the allegations of his chaotic tenure as White House physician surfaced earlier this week. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee indefinitely postponed his confirmation hearing in response.
The summary document, put together by the committee’s Democrats, paints a damning picture of Jackson as a “toxic,” “abusive,” frequently drunk and “flat-out unethical” boss who “put his needs above everyone else’s.” “I have no faith in government that someone like Jackson could end up at VA,” one physician testified. Jackson (photo) “wrecked” a government vehicle after getting hammered at a Secret Service going away party, according to colleagues. Confronted by reporters Wednesday afternoon, Jackson denied the claim, saying he “never wrecked a car” and that he does not have any plan to pull his nomination. Jackson habitually went on alcohol-fueled benders while on overseas trips, according to staffers. On at least one occasion, co-workers said Jackson could not be reached because he was passed out drunk room.
Some co-workers said it was known around the White House that Jackson could get anyone whatever prescription drug they wanted without paperwork.
Jackson has denied many of the claims.
The White House has similarly pushed back against the allegations.
“None of those things have come up in the four separate background investigations that have taken place,” press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters. “There’s been no area of concern that was raised for Dr. Jackson specifically.”
Trump offered Jackson an exit strategy Tuesday, telling reporters that while he still backed him, he’d understand if he dropped out.
“What does he need it for?” Trump said at the White House. “To be abused by a bunch of politicians?” in his hotel