As the New York Times notes, Trump chose Jackson to head up the VA out of "personal affinity," and as such he "did not undergo the kind of policy vetting that usually accompanies a nomination to a cabinet post." (Photo: CNN)
Apr 26, 2018
Facing a slew of explosive allegations regarding his conduct as White House physician and mounting questions about his lack of qualifications to run the government's second-largest agency, Dr. Ronny Jackson on Thursday withdrew his name from consideration as President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"Don't blame anyone but the Trump administration and their complete lack of professional vetting and experienced personnel. This is on Trump."
--Jon Wolfsthal, Global Zero
"The allegations against me are completely false and fabricated," Jackson said in a statement announcing his decision to withdraw, pointing to swirling claims of drunkenness on the job and excessive and inappropriate pill distribution.
While Jackson insisted that if the claims against him were true he "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," many questioned whether the Trump administration properly vetted Jackson before nominating him to lead such a massive department.
As the New York Timesnotes, Trump chose Jackson to head up the VA out of "personal affinity," and as such he "did not undergo the kind of policy vetting that usually accompanies a nomination to a cabinet post."
The White House reportedly only began vetting Jackon after Trump had already named him to lead the VA.
Jackson is hardly the first Trump nominee to withdraw before even making it to the Senate confirmation hearing.
Trump's "prior nominees for labor secretary, Army secretary, and Navy secretary all withdrew last year after questions arose during their vetting process," the Washington Postobserved.
\u201cDr. Ronny Jackson is at least the 24th unsuccessful nominee to a Senate confirmable job under President Trump.\u201d— Peter Alexander (@Peter Alexander) 1524744005
"Don't blame anyone but the Trump administration and their complete lack of professional vetting and experienced personnel. This is on Trump," argued Jon Wolfsthal, senior adviser to the anti-nuclear weapons group Global Zero.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Facing a slew of explosive allegations regarding his conduct as White House physician and mounting questions about his lack of qualifications to run the government's second-largest agency, Dr. Ronny Jackson on Thursday withdrew his name from consideration as President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"Don't blame anyone but the Trump administration and their complete lack of professional vetting and experienced personnel. This is on Trump."
--Jon Wolfsthal, Global Zero
"The allegations against me are completely false and fabricated," Jackson said in a statement announcing his decision to withdraw, pointing to swirling claims of drunkenness on the job and excessive and inappropriate pill distribution.
While Jackson insisted that if the claims against him were true he "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," many questioned whether the Trump administration properly vetted Jackson before nominating him to lead such a massive department.
As the New York Timesnotes, Trump chose Jackson to head up the VA out of "personal affinity," and as such he "did not undergo the kind of policy vetting that usually accompanies a nomination to a cabinet post."
The White House reportedly only began vetting Jackon after Trump had already named him to lead the VA.
Jackson is hardly the first Trump nominee to withdraw before even making it to the Senate confirmation hearing.
Trump's "prior nominees for labor secretary, Army secretary, and Navy secretary all withdrew last year after questions arose during their vetting process," the Washington Postobserved.
\u201cDr. Ronny Jackson is at least the 24th unsuccessful nominee to a Senate confirmable job under President Trump.\u201d— Peter Alexander (@Peter Alexander) 1524744005
"Don't blame anyone but the Trump administration and their complete lack of professional vetting and experienced personnel. This is on Trump," argued Jon Wolfsthal, senior adviser to the anti-nuclear weapons group Global Zero.
Facing a slew of explosive allegations regarding his conduct as White House physician and mounting questions about his lack of qualifications to run the government's second-largest agency, Dr. Ronny Jackson on Thursday withdrew his name from consideration as President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
"Don't blame anyone but the Trump administration and their complete lack of professional vetting and experienced personnel. This is on Trump."
--Jon Wolfsthal, Global Zero
"The allegations against me are completely false and fabricated," Jackson said in a statement announcing his decision to withdraw, pointing to swirling claims of drunkenness on the job and excessive and inappropriate pill distribution.
While Jackson insisted that if the claims against him were true he "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," many questioned whether the Trump administration properly vetted Jackson before nominating him to lead such a massive department.
As the New York Timesnotes, Trump chose Jackson to head up the VA out of "personal affinity," and as such he "did not undergo the kind of policy vetting that usually accompanies a nomination to a cabinet post."
The White House reportedly only began vetting Jackon after Trump had already named him to lead the VA.
Jackson is hardly the first Trump nominee to withdraw before even making it to the Senate confirmation hearing.
Trump's "prior nominees for labor secretary, Army secretary, and Navy secretary all withdrew last year after questions arose during their vetting process," the Washington Postobserved.
\u201cDr. Ronny Jackson is at least the 24th unsuccessful nominee to a Senate confirmable job under President Trump.\u201d— Peter Alexander (@Peter Alexander) 1524744005
"Don't blame anyone but the Trump administration and their complete lack of professional vetting and experienced personnel. This is on Trump," argued Jon Wolfsthal, senior adviser to the anti-nuclear weapons group Global Zero.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.