Ronny L. Jackson, the official White House physician nominated by President Trump to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, had his confirmation hearing postponed this evening after a last-minute bipartisan coalition of Senators expressed concerns over his qualifications for the job and his performance in overseeing the White House medical staff, according to The Washington Post.
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According to CBS, per two different sources, Jackson’s hearings have been held up amid reports of “a hostile work environment, excessive drinking on the job and improperly dispensing meds.”
Just In: 2 sources confirm to @nancycordes and @edokeefe Sen Vet Affairs Comm is reviewing allegations against Ronny Jackson which include a hostile work environment, excessive drinking on the job and improperly dispensing meds.
— Steve Dorsey (@steve_dorsey) April 24, 2018
.@nancycordes reports the top dem on committee Jon Tester (MT) asked Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-GA) to postpone Wednesday’s hearing in light of this new information
— Steve Dorsey (@steve_dorsey) April 24, 2018
The postponement was announced only two days before the U.S. Navy rear admiral was set to testify in front of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the bombshell developments not only put his confirmation in serious question, but his career, as well.
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The revelations are also yet another humiliation for the president, who opted to forego vetting in his haste to reward his physician with an undeserved post in the Cabinet.
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Jackson was nominated by President Trump to replace fired Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin but faced questions about his lack of experience in managing large health care operations and for his fawning assessment of the president’s physical condition after his annual medical exam. He famously said that Trump could live to 200 if he would start eating a healthier diet.
While that nightmare-inducing thought may have been a joking exaggeration, it was a closer examination of Jackson’s management of the internal White House medical office that reportedly sparked concerns about his ability to handle the responsibilities of the position to which he’s been nominated.
Thus far, the Republican chairman of the committee, Johnny Isakson (R-GA), has declined to comment on the postponement.
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