Politics

Trump Hints VA Secretary Pick Should Withdraw From Consideration

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Saagar Enjeti White House Correspondent
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President Donald Trump hinted during Tuesday’s joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron that his pick for the secretary of veterans affairs Admiral Jackson should withdraw from consideration.

“I told Admiral Jackson just a little while ago, what do you need this for? This is a vicious group of people, they malign,” Trump stated. “What do you need it for?”

“I don’t want to put a man through a process like this. It’s too ugly and too disgusting,” he continued. “If I were him, I wouldn’t do it.”

Jackson’s confirmation hearing was delayed Monday evening after Senators said they needed time to investigate allegations that he had fostered a hostile work environment while serving at the White House physicians office. These include serious allegations of excessive drinking on the job and improperly dispensing medication on the job.

Trump’s comments came as a surprise given White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley’s statement of support hours earlier.

“Admiral Jackson’s record of strong, decisive leadership is exactly what’s needed at the VA to ensure our veterans receive the benefits they deserve,” Gidley said in a statement.