Trump rallies around Jackson nomination
VETERAN’S AFFAIRS NOMINEE WAS EARLIER ASKED TO PULL OUT OVER FACING ‘ABUSE’
The White House rallied around Ronny Jackson’s nomination to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs late on Tuesday as the president’s former doctor was besieged by complaints that he improperly dispensed drugs, created a hostile workplace and became intoxicated on duty.
The administration’s decision to fight on in defence of the nomination came hours after President Donald Trump publicly suggested 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.
“I don’t want to put a man through a process like this,” Trump had said earlier 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 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 public view Tuesday when lawmakers nixed his confirmation hearing scheduled for yesterday.
The nomination was officially postponed by Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia, the Republican chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Senator Jon Tester of Montana, the ranking Democrat.
Later Tuesday, Tester said during an interview with NPR that the committee had heard complaints from more than 20 current and former military members that Jackson had improperly dispensed drugs, had become intoxicated on professional trips and belittled staff members.
“We were told stories where he was repeatedly drunk on while duty where his main job was to take care of the most powerful man in the world,” Tester said. “That’s not acceptable.”
Bipartisan concerns
Tester said concerns about the allegations were “bipartisan in nature,” including from Isakson.
A spokeswoman for Isakson said that the senator remained undecided about the nomination but continues to harbour serious concerns.
Hours after the president’s news conference, more allegations emerged about Jackson, including a 2012 government report that said he exhibited “unprofessional behaviour” 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 described morale under his leadership as in the doldrums.