Watchdog: GOP congressman harassed staffers, drank
The Department of Defense inspector general concluded in an unreleased report that Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, “disparaged” his subordinates, including pounding on the door of a woman who worked for him in the middle of the night during a presidential trip, and engaged in problematic drinking while working as the top White House physician.
The report, which was obtained by The New York Times, shed light on rumors that had dogged Dr. Jackson beginning in 2018, after former President Donald Trump nominated him to lead the Veterans Affairs Department.
After allegations emerged that Jackson improperly distributed prescription drugs, created a hostile work environment and had problems with drinking, the White House withdrew his nomination.
Jackson went on to win a crowded Republican primary race to represent a district in northeastern Texas and was elected to Congress in 2020. The 37-page report painted a picture of a physician who engaged in reckless and sometimes threatening behavior, creating an uncomfortable environment for subordinates. A majority of the 60 witnesses interviewed by investigators said Jackson had created a negative work environment, and nearly all of them said they had either personally witnessed, experienced or heard from colleagues about Jackson “screaming, cursing, or belittling subordinates.”
Investigators also found
Jackson engaged in inappropriate behavior on trips abroad with Trump and former President Barack Obama, whom he
also served.
In 2014, on a trip to Manila, Philippines, witnesses said Jackson told a male subordinate that he thought a female medical professional they were working with had a nice figure.
Witnesses said Jackson went out drinking and came back to the hotel and began yelling and pounding on the female subordinate’s door between 1 and 2 a.m. while “visibly intoxicated.”
In a lengthy statement, Jackson accused the inspector general of resurrecting “false allegations” because “I have refused to turn my back on President Trump.”
“I flat out reject any allegation that I consumed alcohol while on duty,” Jackson said. “I also categorically deny any implication that I was in any way sexually inappropriate at work, outside of work, or anywhere with any member of my staff or anyone else. That is not me, and what is alleged did not happen.”