Tester describes accusations

Tester describes accusations against Ronny Jackson

The top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee called the allegations 'not acceptable.'

By LOUIS NELSON

The top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday detailed the allegations of misconduct against Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, the president’s pick to lead the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, a list that includes drinking while on the job and the improper prescribing of medicine.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) told NPR that the allegations against Jackson were not made by lawmakers but were instead unearthed by members of the military who work with the Navy doctor. More than 20 military employees have shared the allegations with senators, Tester said.

"We were told stories where he was repeatedly drunk while on duty where his main job was to take care of the most powerful man in the world," Tester said of Jackson, who has served as the presidential physician to Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama. "That's not acceptable."

Jackson is also accused of handing out prescription sleeping medication on long flights that crossed multiple time zones.

The allegations against Jackson prompted the postponement of his Senate confirmation hearing, which was scheduled for Wednesday. Jackson told reporters on Tuesday that he is looking forward to the rescheduled hearing and answering questions from senators.

Thus far, the White House has backed Jackson amid the swirling allegations, circulating talking points supporting him. Trump, at a press conference on Tuesday, said he would stand behind his nominee but added that he did not think the scrutiny of a confirmation process would be worth the trouble for Jackson. “I really don't think, personally, he should do it,” Trump said.

“I’d let it be his choice. But he's a man who has just been an extraordinary person. His family, extraordinary success, great doctor, great everything, and he has to listen to the abuse that he has to,” the president said. “I wouldn't, if I were him — actually in many ways I'd love to be him — but the fact is, I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't do it. What does he need it for?"

Deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley, in his own NPR interview Wednesday morning, offered a more full-throated defense of Jackson. Gidley told "Morning Edition" that the accusations laid out by Tester did not match his own understanding of the situation, although he did not offer his own version. He said he had spoken to Jackson and that the Navy physician had "vehemently" denied the allegations.

Gidley dismissed concerns about Jackson's lack of managerial experience, pointing to mismanagement of the Department of Veterans Affairs by past secretaries who came to the job with significant management experience. The department's bureaucracy is so vast, Gidley suggested, that finding someone with comparable experience is all but impossible. "We've seen what bureaucrats with experience in management have done and have done to the VA."

"Dr. Jackson deserves a fair hearing and we’re not going to write him off in any way before his hearing and quite frankly neither should members of Congress," Gidley said. "He is an honorable man who has done this country incredible service not only on the battlefield, but in surgery as well, saved countless lives. He marries kind of the perfect mix of medicine and also the military, to run the department."