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White House Doctor Tapped to Run Veterans Affairs - And the Reaction Is Mixed

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WASHINGTON - The president's physician is on call to take over the health of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

President Donald Trump appointed Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson to replace former VA Secretary David Shulkin, whom he fired Wednesday.

You may remember Jackson from his hour-long exchange with the press on the president's first physical exam since taking office, which included a cognitive exam, at the president's request. 

Jackson practiced combat medicine in Iraq and has served as White House physician since 2013.

If confirmed by the Senate, overseeing an agency with some 360,000 employees and a budget of nearly $200 billion will be a big change for Jackson.

Reaction from veterans groups has been mixed.

The American Legion offered praise for outgoing Sec. Shulkin, tweeting, "The American Legion looks forward to working directly with the president through this transition."

AMVETS Executive Director Joe Chenelly was less optimistic.

"I am deeply concerned about the nominee. Veterans' lives depend on this decision, and the Trump administration needs to substantiate that this active-duty Navy officer is qualified to run a $200 billion bureaucracy, the second largest agency in the government," he said.

Carl Blake, executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America, added, "Paralyzed Veterans of America is deeply disappointed by the departure of Dr. David Shulkin as secretary of Veterans Affairs. Given the vacuum that already exists in the senior leadership positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs, this decision will only exacerbate the challenges VA faces as it works to implement meaningful reforms." 

VoteVets also expressed skepticism about Trump's VA pick.

"While honoring Dr. Ronny Jackson's service, senators must ask him blunt, direct questions about how the VA works. We are concerned about his readiness to assume control," the veterans group tweeted, adding, "Now is not the time for people who need training wheels."

Veterans and all Americans will learn more about Dr. Jackson in the weeks to come as he begins the Senate confirmation process.

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About The Author

Jennifer
Wishon

As Senior Washington Correspondent for CBN News, Jennifer covers the intersection of faith and politics - often producing longer format stories that dive deep into the most pressing issues facing Americans today. A 20-year veteran journalist, Jennifer has spent most of her career covering politics, most recently at the White House as CBN's chief White House Correspondent covering the Obama and Trump administrations. She's also covered Capitol Hill along with a slew of major national stories from the 2008 financial crisis to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and every election in between. Jennifer