Pentagon probe slams behavior of former White House doctor
The Department of Defense inspector general released a scathing report Wednesday on the conduct of Ronny Jackson, now a congressman from Texas, when he worked as a top White House physician.
The internal investigation concluded that Jackson made “sexual and denigrating” comments about a female subordinate, violated the policy on drinking alcohol on a presidential trip and took prescription-strength sleeping medication that prompted worries from his colleagues about his ability to provide proper medical care.
The years-long investigation into Jackson, who was elected to the House in November, examined allegations into his conduct during his time serving the administrations of both Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Jackson, who gained notoriety for his over-thetop pronouncements about Trump’s health, denied the allegations, and declared that he was the victim of a “political hit job” because of his close ties to the former Republican president.
After interviewing 78 witnesses and reviewing a host of White House documents, investigators concluded that Jackson, who achieved the rank of rear admiral, failed to treat his subordinates with dignity and respect. They also highlighted incidents of inappropriate behavior on at least two international presidential trips.
The report also said the investigation into Jackson “was limited in scope and unproductive” as Trump’s White House counsel insisted on being present at all interviews, which had a “potential chilling effect” on the probe.
The Department of Defense investigation was first reported by CNN.
Jackson denied all of the allegations about his conduct and said Wednesday in a statement: “My entire professional life has been defined by duty and service.”
“I have not and will not ever conduct myself in a way that undermines the sincerity with which I take my oath to my country or my constituents,” Jackson said.
Jackson was well-liked by most members of the Obama and Trump staffs and grew close to both presidents. He drew national attention and became the subject of late night comedians’ jokes in early 2018 when he declared that Trump “has incredibly good genes, and it’s just the way God made him.”
“I told the president that if he had a healthier diet over the last 20 years he might live to be 200 years old,” Jackson said then.
Coronavirus cases continue falling. Many businesses have re-opened, some children have returned to school, and life appears to be on the mend.
Nonetheless, the battle to confront this moment of tumult, almost exactly a year later, is no smaller than it was when it began.
To preserve the progress we’ve made, local governments must believe in and actively work toward ending this pandemic, so that we may protect lives in our beloved communities.
Our county governments are responsible for rapidly distributing accurate information about the vaccines, including how, where and when the inoculations can be accessed.
It is urgent that local leaders, who know our communities best, help tackle this battle.
We are still very much in a war against the pandemic.
– Oscar Portillo-Meza,
Bradenton