Trump turns to more conventional choice for VA secretary

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump named a seasoned government official Friday to be veterans affairs secretary after his first, unconventional pick — his White House physician — withdrew after allegations of wrongdoing. The new nominee, Robert Wilkie, has been the agency’s acting secretary since late March.

If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Wilkie would take over the second-largest federal department, one that has been on the defensive for years over complaints of inadequate service to veterans.

Mr. Trump fired his first secretary, David Shulkin, nearly two months ago; his next choice, White House physician Ronny Jackson, withdrew after reports of misconduct and mismanagement, which Dr. Jackson denied.

Mr. Trump’s announcement of the nomination apparently came as a surprise to his choice. Introducing Mr. Wilkie with other Cabinet members at an unrelated White House event on prison policies, the president said, “He doesn’t know this yet, that we’re going to be putting his name up for nomination to be secretary of the Veterans Administration. Fantastic.”

Mr. Wilkie, an Air Force reservist, has been the interim head of veterans affairs — its name was changed in 1988 — while undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. He was an assistant secretary of defense in the George W. Bush administration under Donald Rumsfeld, among other national security positions. More recently, he was a senior adviser to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.

Unlike Dr. Jackson, who Mr. Trump seemingly nominated on a whim — for being “out of central casting” — and without the usual background vetting, Mr. Wilkie has experience with the Senate confirmation process. He was confirmed for his current, lowerprofile Pentagon position in November on a voice vote and has prepared other nominees, including Defense Secretary James Mattis, for the sometimes grueling process. Still, he is unlikely to take his own approval for granted.

Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, the top Democrat on the Veterans Affairs Committee whose scrutiny of Dr. Jackson led to his withdrawal, said in a statement that he has “a good working relationship with Acting Sec. Wilkie and I look forward to sitting down with him again to have an in-depth conversation about his vision and plan for the V.A.”

The committee’s chairman, Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., offered similar qualified praise. He said he “enjoyed my time getting to know Robert Wilkie” and “look forward to learning more about his long-term views for the V.A.,” including his plans to implement a veterans measure passed by the House this week and awaiting a Senate vote.