President Donald Trump’s choice to be the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs face obstacles on his nomination on Tuesday as accusations of workplace misconduct became public.
According to The Hill, staffers on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee are looking into charges accusing Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson of creating a hostile work environment by being excessively drunk on the job and improperly dispensing medications.
A Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing that was scheduled for Wednesday has been indefinitely postponed while panel leaders investigate.
Chairman Johnny Isakson and Senator Jon Tester requested from the White House documents to try to assess the claims.
“I’m doing my job as chairman. I just want the truth to get out when it’s supposed to get out for the people that need to hear it, and that’s the committee,” Isakson said.
Tester, during an interview with NPR Tuesday, explained the allegations. Apparently, Jackson was “repeatedly drunk while on duty” while yelling and denigrating his staff. He also added that “more than 20” military personnel have come forward to speak about Jackson’s behavior.
Meanwhile, Senator Mike Rounds, who is also on the committee, stated that the accusations were made last week, but members were not made aware of them until they had a phone call with Isakson over the weekend.
Tester told reporters that although the allegations are still unconfirmed, he considers them to be credible.
“They’re credible enough that we need to vet it,” Tester said.
However, Tester also said that he thinks Jackson’s nomination can still be saved. Trump, who without consulting and vetting decided alone to pick him for the job, effectively told Jackson that he would be better off if he stepped aside.
“If I were him, I wouldn’t do it,” Trump said on Tuesday.
Trump, during a press conference at the White House with French President Emmanuel Macron, stated that he is still supporting Jackson, but advised Jackson that he should drop out rather than face “abuse” from politicians.
“This is a vicious group of people that malign. What do you need this for? … You’re too fine a person,” Trump said he told Jackson.
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