White House Doctor Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary, has withdrawn his name from his nomination, The Huffington Post reports.
Jackson’s withdrawal comes amid a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee investigation regarding accusations that he created a hostile work environment and improperly dispensed medications. It was also alleged that Jackson damaged a government vehicle after drinking at a Secret Service party, ABC News reports.
The Senate committee announced on Tuesday that there were postponing Jackson’s confirmation hearing in light of these allegations. Trump had stood by his nominee, but hinted that Jackson should withdraw his name from VA Secretary consideration.
“While I will forever be grateful for the trust and confidence President Trump has placed in me by giving me this opportunity, I am regretfully withdrawing my nomination to be Secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Jackson said in a statement issued by the White House.
According to HuffPost, Jackson considered the media coverage revolving around these allegations to be “a distraction.”
“It has been my distinct honor and privilege to work at the White House and serve three Presidents,” Jackson said. “Going into this process, I expected tough questions about how to best care for our veterans, but I did not expect to have to dignify baseless and anonymous attacks on my character and integrity.”
In his statement, Jackson called the allegations made against him “false and fabricated.”
“The allegations against me are completely false and fabricated. 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,” Jackson said.
BREAKING: President Trump’s pick to lead the VA, Dr. Ronny Jackson, withdraws his nomination. https://t.co/MENjlmRD27 pic.twitter.com/jnWekWnsdE
— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) April 26, 2018
Just moments after Jackson’s withdrawal from his VA nomination was announced, Trump defended Jackson in an interview with Fox News, ABC News reports.
“He would have a done a great job,” Trump said. “Tremendous heart. These are all false accusations. These are false. They are trying to destroy a man.”
According to HuffPost, Trump blamed the Democrats for obstructing his nominees, adding that there would be a “big price to pay” for Senator Jon Tester, the top Democrat of the Veterans Affairs Committee whose office had been vetting Jackson and questioning him due to the allegations.
“I want to tell you, Jon Tester, I think this is going to cause him a lot of problems in his state,” Trump said. “For Jon tester to bring up stuff like candy man and kinds of things he was saying.”
“Well, you know, these are statements that are made. There is no proof of this,” Trump added. “I think Jon Tester has to have a big price to pay in Montana.”
Although he has withdrawn from his nomination, Jackson is still working as a physician at the White House.
“Admiral Jackson is a doctor in the United States Navy assigned to the White House and is here at work today,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.