Thursday 18 / April / 2024
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday left open the possibility that his doctor Ronny Jackson would withdraw as his pick to lead the Veterans Affairs department after allegations stalled his Senate confirmation hearing.
The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs postponed the hearing, which had been set for Wednesday, as it looked into allegations that Jackson had overseen a hostile work environment as White House physician and allowed the overprescribing of drugs.
The allegations were first reported by the New York Times. While Trump called Jackson a "great leader" and said he would support him if he decides to go forwards, he suggested he thought doing so was a bad idea. "I wouldn't do it. What does he need it for? To be abused by a bunch of politicians who aren't thinking nicely about our country?" said Trump, who spoke at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Trump said the decision was up to Jackson, a U.S. Navy rear admiral who has worked as a presidential physician since the George W. Bush administration, about whether to continue as nominee. "I don't want to put a man through - who's not a political person - I don't want to put a man through a process like this. It's too ugly and too disgusting. So, we'll see what happens," Trump said.
