Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson announced that he is “regretfully” withdrawing his nomination to be secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs amid allegations of misconduct.
“While I will forever be grateful for the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me by giving me this opportunity,” Jackson, the White House physician said in a statement Thursday, “I am regretfully withdrawing my nomination.”
The embattled Jackson stands accused of mismanaging pain medications, drunk driving, and destruction of a government vehicle, according to a document compiled by the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, allegedly relying on the testimonies of nearly two dozen former colleagues. “I have no idea where that is coming from,” Jackson said Wednesday.
“The allegations against me are completely false and fabricated,” Jackson said in his withdrawal statement. “If they had any merit, I would not have been selected, promoted and entrusted to serve in such a sensitive and important role as physician to three presidents over the past 12 years.”
“I am proud of my service to the country and will always be committed to the brave veterans who volunteer to defend our freedoms,” he added.
Responding to Jackson’s decision, the president, speaking on Fox News, called Democratic obstructionism a “disgrace.” He referred to “Doc Ronny” as an “incredible man,” “a real leader.”
“These are all false accusations. They are trying to destroy a man,” Trump told reporters.
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