Ronny Jackson: Trump veterans nominee bows out amid allegations
EPA
White House doctor Ronny Jackson has withdrawn as a nominee to lead the US Department of Veterans Affairs amid a flurry of misconduct allegations.
President Donald Trump's pick was accused of questionable drug prescriptions, drunkenness and wrecking a government vehicle.
In a statement, Dr Jackson condemned "baseless and anonymous attacks" on his character.
He had been due to have a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
But it was postponed because senators from both parties said they wanted to examine allegations by 23 of his colleagues and former colleagues.
What was Jackson accused of?
The claims were outlined in a two-page document, details of which Democratic staff of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs supplied to US media.
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According to the file, Dr Jackson was described as "flat-out unethical", "100% bad temper", "toxic", "explosive", "abusive" and "volatile".
He was also branded "the most unethical person I have ever worked with", "dishonest" and "despicable".
They also said Dr Jackson would "lose his mind over small things", and was "vindictive" and "belittling".
In his statement, the 50-year old Iraq War veteran hit back: "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.
"The allegations against me are completely false and fabricated."
The last Veterans Affairs Secretary, David Shulkin, was fired by Mr Trump last month following a critical report by an internal watchdog.
How did White House respond?
Speaking by telephone to Fox News on Thursday morning, President Trump described Dr Jackson as the victim of "false allegations".
"They're trying to destroy a man," he added.
He reiterated his repeated claim that Democrats are "obstructionists", blocking his candidates for political purposes.
Mr Trump has not said whom he would nominate instead.
But at an event honouring wounded soldiers, Mr Trump singled out the acting veterans' affairs secretary, whose name was added at the last minute to the guest list by the White House.
Acting Secretary Robert Wilkie "is doing a great job over at the VA, I can tell you that", Mr Trump told the audience.
Mr Trump's daughter and presidential adviser, Ivanka Trump, seemed to suggest Dr Jackson would remain in his current role.
The US first daughter tweeted she would "look forward to continuing to see his warm smile each day at the White House!"
What are Dr Jackson's qualifications?
The US Navy rear admiral has served as the White House physician since 2006 and rose in profile after declaring Mr Trump to be in "excellent" health following a medical examination.
Dr Jackson famously told reporters that Mr Trump could live to the age of 200 if his diet improved.
The physician was selected by Mr Trump last month to lead the 360,000-employee veterans affairs agency, which commands an annual budget of $186bn (£133bn).
Critics highlighted his lack of administrative experience, noting that at the White House he oversaw a medical staff of only about two dozen people.
Democrats say Dr Jackson's nomination was doomed from the start because he was never properly vetted for the role by the White House.
Senator Patty Murray, the second-most senior Democrat on the veterans' affairs committee, said this week: "It is really frustrating to me that this administration continues to not vet or sloppily send over a nominee that leaves us having to really vet them and look at serious questions."
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