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Trump Hints That Ronny Jackson Might Withdraw V.A. Nomination Amid Criticism Trump Hints That Ronny Jackson Might Withdraw V.A. Nomination Amid Criticism
(about 2 hours later)
WASHINGTON — President Trump acknowledged Tuesday that Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, his nominee to lead the Veterans Affairs Department, is in serious trouble amid allegations that he oversaw a hostile work environment as the White House doctor, allowed the overprescribing of drugs and possibly drank on the job.WASHINGTON — President Trump acknowledged Tuesday that Dr. Ronny L. Jackson, his nominee to lead the Veterans Affairs Department, is in serious trouble amid allegations that he oversaw a hostile work environment as the White House doctor, allowed the overprescribing of drugs and possibly drank on the job.
Speaking at a news conference with the president of France, Mr. Trump strongly defended Dr. Jackson as “one of the finest people that I have met,” but he hinted that Dr. Jackson might soon withdraw from consideration, blaming Democrats for mounting an unfair attack on his nominee’s record. Speaking at a news conference with the president of France, Mr. Trump strongly defended Dr. Jackson, the current White House physician, as “one of the finest people that I have met,” but he hinted that Dr. Jackson might soon withdraw from consideration, blaming Democrats for mounting an unfair attack on his nominee’s record.
“I don’t want to put a man through a process like this,” Mr. Trump said, calling the allegations about Dr. Jackson “ugly.” The president said, “The fact is, I wouldn’t do it. What does he need it for? To be abused by a number of politicians?”“I don’t want to put a man through a process like this,” Mr. Trump said, calling the allegations about Dr. Jackson “ugly.” The president said, “The fact is, I wouldn’t do it. What does he need it for? To be abused by a number of politicians?”
“It’s totally his decision,” Mr. Trump added, saying that he had talked with Dr. Jackson earlier in the day. Mr. Trump angrily accused his adversaries on Capitol Hill of going after Dr. Jackson because they have failed to block Mike Pompeo, the president’s nominee to become the next secretary of state. “It’s totally his decision,” Mr. Trump added, saying that he had talked with Dr. Jackson earlier in the day.
“They failed to stop him, so now they say ‘who’s next?’” the president told reporters during the news conference in the East Room. The concern over Dr. Jackson’s nomination is bipartisan. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee launched an investigation into Dr. Jackson’s White House work record last week, and the committee’s Republican and Democratic leaders jointly announced on Tuesday that Dr. Jackson’s confirmation hearing, planned for this Wednesday, would be postponed indefinitely “in light of new information presented to the committee.”
The concern over Dr. Jackson’s nomination, however, is bipartisan. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee launched its investigation last week, and the committee’s Republican and Democratic leaders jointly announced on Tuesday that Dr. Jackson’s confirmation hearing, planned for this Wednesday, would be postponed indefinitely. “We take very seriously our constitutional duty to thoroughly and carefully vet each nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation,” said Senators Johnny Isakson of Georgia, the committee chairman, and Jon Tester of Montana, its top Democrat, in a joint statement. “We will continue looking into these serious allegations.”
“The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is postponing the hearing to consider the nominee to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in light of new information presented to the committee,” said Senators Johnny Isakson of Georgia, the committee chairman, and Jon Tester of Montana, its top Democrat, in a joint statement which did not detail the allegations.
“We take very seriously our constitutional duty to thoroughly and carefully vet each nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation,” they added. “We will continue looking into these serious allegations and have requested additional information from the White House to enable the committee to conduct a full review.”
In a letter to the president, both senators requested “any and all communication” between the Defense Department, the White House Military Office and the White House medical unit “regarding allegations or incidents” involving Dr. Jackson back to 2006.In a letter to the president, both senators requested “any and all communication” between the Defense Department, the White House Military Office and the White House medical unit “regarding allegations or incidents” involving Dr. Jackson back to 2006.
“I have very serious questions that need to be addressed, and they should be addressed right now, like today,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut and a member of the committee.“I have very serious questions that need to be addressed, and they should be addressed right now, like today,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut and a member of the committee.
Officials familiar with the allegations against Dr. Jackson declined to offer precise details but said that they suggest a pattern of behavior, not just one or two isolated incidents. Officials familiar with the allegations against Dr. Jackson declined to offer precise details but said that they suggest a pattern of behavior, not just one or two isolated incidents. The officials declined to elaborate on the allegation that Dr. Jackson overprescribed drugs.
But Republicans did push back on the alcohol allegation. Senator Jerry Moran, Republican of Kansas, said that Dr. Jackson told him during a one-on-one meeting on Tuesday that “he has never had a drink while on duty.” Mr. Moran said Dr. Jackson did not specifically address other allegations against him, but indicated that he intended to move ahead as the nominee. But White House physicians, including Dr. Jackson’s predecessors, have for years distributed small amounts of Ambien, a prescription sleep aid, to White House staff and members of the press flying on long overseas trips. And several former officials said the doctors also distributed Provigil, a prescription drug for promoting wakefulness, to staff members upon landing.
Republicans did indicate the charges are serious. Senator Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina and a member of the committee, said he was still waiting to see if the accusations “have weight” before rendering a judgment. But, he added, “If the allegations were based in fact, it would be concerning.” On trips to Africa and other countries where malaria is rampant, White House doctors would also distribute Malarone, a prescription medicine that prevents the disease.
Members of both parties pushed back on the alcohol allegation. Senator Jerry Moran, Republican of Kansas, said that Dr. Jackson told him during a one-on-one meeting on Tuesday that “he has never had a drink while on duty.” Mr. Moran said Dr. Jackson did not specifically address other allegations against him, but indicated that he intended to move ahead as the nominee.
Brian McKeon, who served as chief of staff for the National Security Council under President Barack Obama, said he does not recall Dr. Jackson ever drinking to excess or being under the influence, even on long trips abroad. “I am not even sure that I ever saw him in a hotel bar,” McKeon wrote in an email Tuesday.
Still, Republicans said the charges are serious. Senator Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina and a member of the committee, said “If the allegations were based in fact, it would be concerning.”
Dr. Jackson, a rear admiral in the Navy, was already expected to face difficult questioning during his testimony before the committee. Last month, Mr. Trump fired his first Veterans Affairs secretary, David J. Shulkin, an experienced hospital administrator and veteran of the V.A. medical system, and then chose Dr. Jackson largely out of personal affinity.Dr. Jackson, a rear admiral in the Navy, was already expected to face difficult questioning during his testimony before the committee. Last month, Mr. Trump fired his first Veterans Affairs secretary, David J. Shulkin, an experienced hospital administrator and veteran of the V.A. medical system, and then chose Dr. Jackson largely out of personal affinity.
The White House did little or no vetting of his background before announcing his nomination on Twitter. Before serving as a White House physician, Dr. Jackson had deployed as an emergency medicine physician to Taqaddum, Iraq, during the Iraq war. As White House physician, Dr. Jackson had undergone intense vetting for a position that gives him unusually close access to the president. But Mr. Trump’s abrupt nomination of his personal doctor to lead the V.A.pre-empted any review of Dr. Jackson’s qualifications to manage a large bureaucracy. Officials said there was virtually no examination of Dr. Jackson’s policy views before the announcement.
The nominee, speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill before meeting with a Republican senator Tuesday afternoon, gave no indication that he would withdraw. He said that he was “disappointed” that his confirmation hearing had been postponed. But he did not deny or answer questions about the charges. Before serving as a White House physician, Dr. Jackson had deployed as an emergency medicine physician to Taqaddum, Iraq, during the Iraq war.
“I’m looking forward to getting it rescheduled and answering everybody’s questions,” he said. The nominee, speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill before meeting with a Republican senator Tuesday afternoon, gave no indication that he would withdraw. He did not deny or answer questions about the charges.
But he added, “I’m looking forward to getting it rescheduled and answering everybody’s questions.”
White House officials said they do not know how Dr. Jackson would ultimately respond to Mr. Trump’s suggestion that he consider pulling out of consideration. Some inside the West Wing were hoping that Dr. Jackson continues to fight for the position, at least to defend himself.
More than a half-dozen former White House officials who served with Dr. Jackson in Mr. Obama’s administration also expressed support for him. None said they recalled him ever being drunk or loosely dispensing medications.
“He always seemed to be to be alert, responsive, responsible,” said David Axelrod, who served as Mr. Obama’s senior adviser. “My impressions were positive. My interactions were positive. I never heard any complaints.”
The turmoil around his nomination all but ensures that the department, the federal government’s second largest, will remain without a permanent leader for at least several weeks at a moment when it was supposed to be adopting systematic changes to its electronic health records system and programs that allow veterans to seek care from private doctors at government expense.The turmoil around his nomination all but ensures that the department, the federal government’s second largest, will remain without a permanent leader for at least several weeks at a moment when it was supposed to be adopting systematic changes to its electronic health records system and programs that allow veterans to seek care from private doctors at government expense.
The Senate received paperwork from the Trump administration formalizing Dr. Jackson’s nomination only last week.The Senate received paperwork from the Trump administration formalizing Dr. Jackson’s nomination only last week.
“It has been really careless, maybe even negligent about the vetting in a number of these nominations,” Mr. Blumenthal said.“It has been really careless, maybe even negligent about the vetting in a number of these nominations,” Mr. Blumenthal said.
Senators were keeping the details of their investigation under wraps but let it be known that the allegations are serious. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii and a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, said she had heard enough from colleagues to have “deep concerns” about the nomination. “This is concerning even for a very ethically challenging White House,” she said. Senators were keeping the details of their investigation under wraps but let it be known that the allegations are serious.
Asked if he still supported the nominee, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, offered only, “We’re going to wait and see what Senator Isakson and the administration recommend.”Asked if he still supported the nominee, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, offered only, “We’re going to wait and see what Senator Isakson and the administration recommend.”
Committee Democrats met briefly Monday evening to discuss how to proceed. Mr. Tester is leading the investigation. Mr. Tester then met with Mr. Isakson Tuesday morning shortly before announcing the postponement.
The White House defended Dr. Jackson’s record in a statement, but did not address the nature of the claims against him.The White House defended Dr. Jackson’s record in a statement, but did not address the nature of the claims against him.
“Admiral Jackson has been on the front lines of deadly combat and saved the lives of many others in service to this country. He’s served as the physician to three presidents — Republican and Democrat — and been praised by them all,” said Hogan Gidley, a deputy White House press secretary. “Admiral Jackson’s record of strong, decisive leadership is exactly what’s needed at the V.A. to ensure our veterans receive the benefits they deserve.”“Admiral Jackson has been on the front lines of deadly combat and saved the lives of many others in service to this country. He’s served as the physician to three presidents — Republican and Democrat — and been praised by them all,” said Hogan Gidley, a deputy White House press secretary. “Admiral Jackson’s record of strong, decisive leadership is exactly what’s needed at the V.A. to ensure our veterans receive the benefits they deserve.”
Lawmakers were already preparing to press Dr. Jackson on his views on the role of private medical care for veterans, instead of the department’s government-run health care system. Senators planned to challenge his lack of management experience running a large organization. The department employs more than 370,000 people and operates sprawling health and veterans benefits systems.Lawmakers were already preparing to press Dr. Jackson on his views on the role of private medical care for veterans, instead of the department’s government-run health care system. Senators planned to challenge his lack of management experience running a large organization. The department employs more than 370,000 people and operates sprawling health and veterans benefits systems.
Mr. Shulkin had been in the final stages of negotiating a contract to build a new, $10 billion electronic health records system that for the first time would be compatible with health records from both the military and community providers. The current system is 40 years old and fraught with inefficiencies that often get in the way of providing care.
A second large agenda item is redesigning the so called “choice” rules that control when and how veterans use health care outside the government system. A compromise bill in Congress that streamlined the current system fell apart this winter. Veterans advocates fear that without strong leadership to push a new bill, veterans will be left with the current system, which many say is arbitrary and denies care to veterans in need.
Before his nomination, Dr. Jackson had garnered little public attention and his policy views were unknown. He took a rare turn in the spotlight in January, when he appeared on national television to announce the results of Mr. Trump’s first physical while in office. At the time, there was speculation over the president’s physical and mental health, and Dr. Jackson offered effusive compliments on both. Mr. Trump was pleased with the performance.Before his nomination, Dr. Jackson had garnered little public attention and his policy views were unknown. He took a rare turn in the spotlight in January, when he appeared on national television to announce the results of Mr. Trump’s first physical while in office. At the time, there was speculation over the president’s physical and mental health, and Dr. Jackson offered effusive compliments on both. Mr. Trump was pleased with the performance.
“I’ve found no reason whatsoever to think the president has any issues whatsoever with his thought processes,” Dr. Jackson said. At one point, he even quipped that given Mr. Trump’s genetics, he might live to 200 years old if he had a healthier diet. At one point, Dr. Jackson even quipped that given Mr. Trump’s genetics, he might live to 200 years old if he had a healthier diet.
Mr. Trump fired his first Veterans Affairs secretary amid deep ideological disagreements over privatization of care at the department and extended fallout from a scathing report by its inspector general about a trip that Mr. Shulkin had taken last year to Britain and Denmark. Mr. Shulkin, a politically moderate physician and former hospital executive, remained well liked on Capitol Hill and among veterans groups, who felt he was a pragmatic leader who understood the department intimately.Mr. Trump fired his first Veterans Affairs secretary amid deep ideological disagreements over privatization of care at the department and extended fallout from a scathing report by its inspector general about a trip that Mr. Shulkin had taken last year to Britain and Denmark. Mr. Shulkin, a politically moderate physician and former hospital executive, remained well liked on Capitol Hill and among veterans groups, who felt he was a pragmatic leader who understood the department intimately.