Trump Fires Shulkin, Will Nominate Admiral Ronny Jackson for Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 31, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)

President Donald Trump has fired Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin and intends to nominate Admiral Ronny L. Jackson, MD for the position. Mr. Shulkin’s days were numbered after an inspector general report found he doctored an email and made false statements to create a pretext for taxpayers to cover for the cost of his wife’s trip to Europe last summer.

“I am pleased to announce that I intend to nominate highly respected Admiral Ronny L. Jackson, MD, as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs,” President Trump tweeted. “In the interim, Hon. Robert Wilkie of DOD will serve as Acting Secretary. I am thankful for Dr. David Shulkin’s service to our country and to our GREAT VETERANS!”

I am pleased to announce that I intend to nominate highly respected Admiral Ronny L. Jackson, MD, as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2018

….In the interim, Hon. Robert Wilkie of DOD will serve as Acting Secretary. I am thankful for Dr. David Shulkin’s service to our country and to our GREAT VETERANS!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2018

Mr. Shulkin was a holdover from the Obama Administration and his firing was expected. While the VA Inspector General report was damning, the White House was already frustrated with his reluctance to use the power granted by the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act.

The bill was the most significant reform bill or action in the history of the department and it fulfilled a major promise made by President Trump on the campaign trail. He frequently vowed to fire VA workers “who let our veterans down,” and at least for the first few months it was used effectively.

In just one month, more than 500 employees had been fired and over 180 suspended for misconduct.

Nevertheless, the IG report proved too much for President Trump, who also fired Tom Price from a Cabinet post after it was revealed he misused taxpayer funds.

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