Navy doctor Ronny Jackson: Abusive toward staff
Trump's VA nominee and personal doctor was 'repeatedly drunk at work, nicknamed "the Candy Man" for handing out pills and banged on a female employee's hotel room after a night out on an Obama overseas trip until Secret Service intervened'
- Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson's Veterans Affairs nomination is facing resistance
- Inspector general report from the Navy in 2012 described an 'unprofessional' power struggle at the White House medical office
- The IG recommended that one or both doctors at the helm, including Jackson, should be replaced over a 'hostile' work environment
- But President Obama gave him glowing recommendations year after year and recommended his promotion to admiral
- President Trump said Tuesday that Jackson doesn't 'need' to push forward but later assured him that he had his continued backing
- Trump claimed Democrats are frustrated that they couldn't derail Secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo's nomination, and are merely asking, 'Who's next?'
- Anonymous accusers told CBS and The New York Times that Jackson excessively drank on the job and improperly dispensed medication
President Trump's VA nominee and personal doctor has been accused of constantly drinking on the job, handing out prescription pills 'like candy' and running a hostile work environment.
Navy doctor Ronny Jackson is also believed to have banged on a female employee's hotel room door during an overseas trip with President Obama after a heavy night of drinking.
The woman was 'unconformable' with the incident and it got so noisy that Secret Service were forced to intervene so he wouldn't wake anyone up, CNN reported.
It is believed to be one of many reported incidents that is putting his confirmation in jeopardy.
Montana Sen. Jon Tester told NPR's 'All Things Considered' on Tuesday afternoon that his committee's research turned up allegations of the type that can derail Cabinet nominees.
'He is the physician for the president, and in the previous administration,' Tester said, recalling that Dr. Ronny Jackson served more than a decade at the White House. 'We were told stories where he was repeatedly drunk while on duty – where his main job was to take care of the most powerful man in the world.'
Tester also told CNN that Jackson has the nickname 'the Candy Man' because he hands out pills 'like candy'.
Jackson was also found passed out drunk in his hotel during an overseas trip under Obama's trip when aides needed him for medical assistance, the New York Times reported.
Confirmation hearings for Dr. Jackson – President Donald Trump's personal physician and a rear admiral – were delayed while senators investigated if the damning claims were true and could wreck his chances. He is pictured on Capitol Hill on Tuesday
Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, center, President Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, walks down a stairwell as he leaves a Senate office building
Dr. Ronny Jackson (right), the current nominee to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been accused of doling out sleeping pills and stimulants to White House staff while on long overseas trips with President Barack Obama (left), and of being 'repeatedly' drunk while on duty
Montana Sen. Jon Tester, the senior Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, dished details to NPR including verbatim complaints of Jackson's former underlings who said he presided over a hostile work environment
Jackson is Trump's personal physician, and served in the same role for President Barack Obama. He met with Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon, and White House officials said afterward that the president is standing by him.
Obama wrote in a 2014 assessment of Jackson's job performance that he was '[a] most impressive leader who continues to perform at the Flag Officer level. Ronny has earned my confidence and the gratitude of my family for his diligence and knowledge. Promote to Flag immediately.'
A year later, he called him 'Absolutely the best' and wrote that 'Ronny’s positive impact cannot be overstated. He is a tremendous asset to the entire White House team. Already at a level of performance and responsibility that exceeds his current rank, promote to Rear Admiral now.'
A senior White House official said Tuesday evening in a statement that 'Dr. Jackson’s record as a White House physician is impeccable. He has improved unit morale, received glowing reviews and promotions under Republican and Democrat presidents, and has been given a clean vet from the FBI.'
But Tester said Tuesday that '20 military folks and retired military folks' had come forward to the Navy's military inspector general in 2012 to describe how Jackson made sleep aids and stimulants easily available to staff traveling on Obama's overseas trips.
'Most of them [the medicines] are the ones that make one sleep, and make you wake up. And these [were]... pretty much doled out, as, "Somebody wants to go to sleep? Here's a pill",' he said.
Tester says former underlings of Dr. Jackson used specific words when describing their supervisor's on-the-job demeanor, including: 'Abusive toward staff,' 'Very explosive personality,' 'Belittles the folks underneath him,' and 'Screamed toward staff.'
It's unclear whether Tester was referring to his committee's own investigation of Jackson or the inspector general report, first cited by the Associated Press less than an hour before the NPR interview.
But he was adamant that whatever poisonous atmosphere existed in the White House's medical unit flowed down from the top.
'I think it was pretty clear that he was the person who was creating the environment,' he said, adding: 'We heard the same story from enough people repeatedly, that there's a lot of smoke there.'
2014 EVALUATION: President Barack Obama pronounced Dr. Ronny Jackson an 'Exceptional Physician and Naval Officer! ... A key member of my staff since my first day in office, Ronny is one of my administration’s most trusted advisors. ... I consider this consummate professional a national asset.'
2015 EVALUATION: Obama concluded that 'Ronny’s positive impact cannot be overstated. He is a tremendous asset to the entire White House team. Already at a level of performance and responsibility that exceeds his current rank, promote to Rear Admiral now.' He also added in capital letters: '**ABSOLUTELY THE BEST! PROMOTE TO FLAG IMMEDIATELY**'
2016 EVALUATION: Obama wrote that 'Ronny does a great job – genuine enthusiasm, poised under pressure, incredible work ethic and follow through. Ronny continues to inspire confidence with the care he provides to me, my family and my team. Continue to promote ahead of peers.'
The 2012 report cited Jackson for 'unprofessional behaviors' at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
News of the report, and Tester's expansive description of its context, are the latest signal that Jackson's nomination may not be long-lived.
Trump said Tuesday that he would understand if the rear admiral bowed out of consideration. News reports from CBS and The New York Times have relayed unsubstantiated allegations that Jackson consumed alcohol on the job, over-prescribed medications and presided over a hostile work environment.
'I really don't think, personally, he should do it, but it's ... totally his decision,' Trump said during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.
'The fact is, I wouldn't do it,' he said, recounting his advice to the Navy doctor who also tended to the medical needs of President George W. Bush. 'I wouldn't do it. What does he need it for? To be abused by a bunch of politicians that aren't thinking nicely about our country?'
President Trump (right) appeared in a joint press conference Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron, saying he had advised Dr. Jackson that he didn't have to press ahead with confirmation hearings to lead the Veterans Affairs Department
CONFUSION: Dr. Jackson told NBC News on Tuesday that 'no,' there was no inspector general report criticizing his job performance
According to the Associated Press, Jackson himself requested the IG report. It similarly criticized Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, who led the White House Medical Unit until 2011.
The report describes a soap opera-like power struggle after Jackson, not Kuhlman, was named to run the unit.
The senior White House official suggested that Kuhlman was behind the media firestorm that threatens to sink Jackson's chances: '[H]e will certainly not be railroaded by a bitter ex-colleague who was removed from his job.'
The inspector general found a lack of trust in the leadership and low morale among staff members at the time. Some who worked with Jackson and Kuhlman described their working environment as 'being caught between parents going through a bitter divorce.'
'There is a severe and pervasive lack of trust in the leadership that has deteriorated to the point that staff walk on "eggshells",' the report found.
It's unclear how much Trump knew about Jackson's paper trail when he made his remarks Tuesday afternoon.
Jackson, however, had assured an NBC news crew hours earlier that 'no, there was not' an IG report reflecting anonymous allegations of misconduct against him.
Trump added, however that he 'would definitely stand behind him' if he decided to press forward despite political headwinds related to allegations of professional misconduct.
'He's a fine man. I'll always stand behind him,' the president declared, while insisting: 'I'd let it be his choice.'
Trump's doctor is accused of drinking on the job, improperly prescribing medicine and creating a hostile work environment
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The reporter who asked Trump about his nominee didn't mention the specifics of Jackson's difficult position. Trump, too, said: 'I haven't heard of the particular allegations.'
But he said he had advised Jackson to avoid sailing toward the partisan shoals of Capitol Hill and stay where he is.
'I told Admiral Jackson just a little while ago, I said, "What do you need this for? This is a vicious group of people that malign",' he recalled. 'And they do, and I lived through it.'
Trump claimed Jackson became the latest political target in Democrats' sights because they have been unable to derail CIA Director Mike Pompeo's transition to lead the State Department.
'They failed to stop him, so now they say, "Who's next? Who's next?"' Trump vented.
'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,' he added. 'It's too ugly and too disgusting.'
Jackson's confirmation hearing before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, had been scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed indefinitely on Tuesday morning.
He told NBC News on Capitol Hill that he 'was looking forward to the hearing tomorrow. Kind of disappointed that it’s been postponed, but I’m looking forward to getting it rescheduled and answering everybody’s questions.'
'We take very seriously our constitutional duty to thoroughly and carefully vet each nominee sent to the Senate for confirmation,' said the chairman, Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson and the ranking Democrat, Montana Sen. Jon Tester.
'We will continue looking into these serious allegations and have requested additional information from the White House to enable the committee to conduct a full review.'
As of Tuesday no evidence has been made public to support the allegations against Jackson. The New York Times and CBS News have both reported the claims without disclosing who made them.
South Dakota Republican Sen. Mike Rounds, who sits on the committee, said Monday night on the Fox News Channel that Isakson had relayed to members that there were 'unsubstantiated allegations' that required a hearing delay.
The naval officer was to replace the scandal-plagued David Shulkin, who Trump fired last month. CBS reported that multiple people have accused Jackson of 'excessive drinking on the job and improperly dispensing medicine.'
He 'created a hostile working environment' to such a degree that if the allegations were proved true 'it'll sink his nomination', the network's sources said.
The White House didn't deny the allegations in a statement issued Tuesday morning.
'Admiral Jackson has been on the front lines of deadly combat and saved the lives of many others in service to this country. He’s served as the physician to three Presidents – Republican and Democrat – and been praised by them all,' Deputy White House Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said.
'Admiral Jackson’s record of strong, decisive leadership is exactly what’s needed at the V.A. to ensure our veterans receive the benefits they deserve.'
Senate Veterans Affairs Committee members said they were trying to determine if the accusations had 'factual basis' before a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
'We need to be asking questions and there need to be answers,' Senator Richard Blumenthal told CNN.
'At this point we are dealing with some fairly raw allegations and we need to know if there is factual support for it.'
When Senator Jon Tester, the committee's top Democrat, was asked if the allegations were troubling, he replied 'only if true', adding that vetting was 'all hands on deck.'
Admiral Jackson is best known for his glowing review of President Trump's health (pictured) after his first physical in January, which was met with intense sceptcism
Senators from both parties were already concerned that Admiral Jackson lacked the management experience to run the second-biggest government agency.
The military doctor is best known for his glowing review of President Trump's health after his first physical in January, which was met with intense skepticism.
Admiral Jackson declared he was in 'excellent health' but should improve his diet and exercise as he weighed 239 lbs. with a Body-Mass Index of 29.9.
'He has a lot of energy and a lot of stamina,' he said, claiming President Trump could live to be 200 if he improved his health.
The doctor also made the bizarre claim that 'he has incredibly good genes; it's just the way God made him.'
Admiral Jackson also tried to quash fears that President Trump could be developing dementia, saying he had 'no cognitive, mental issues whatsoever. He is very sharp.'
Admiral Jackson is best known for his glowing review of President Trump's health after his first physical in January, which was met with intense sceptcism
Veterans Affairs has an annual budget of $180 billion and more than 370,000 staff to handle veterans' medical care, benefits, and burials and memorials.
Senators said he 'has some issues with management' and 'hasn't really overseen a large group' before, which concerned them.
'He doesn't have the experience you'd think would traditionally be required at the VA,' Senator Jerry Moran told The Hill.
President Trump's own advisers were surprised by the nomination, and chief of staff John Kelly though it was unwise to tap him so quickly without proper vetting.
The White House has aggressively defended Admiral Jackson since then, pointing out his military service and Navy SEAL son.
'Members of Congress who have never managed a thing outside of their own congressional office have the audacity to say he's not qualified before he even has a hearing,' White House Legislative Affairs Director Marc Short said.
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