Trump VA nominee Ronny Jackson withdraws name from consideration

WASHINGTON —

Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, has withdrawn his name from consideration, multiple news outlets are now reporting.

View the story "Trump VA nominee Ronny Jackson in talks to withdraw, reports say" on StorifyTrump VA nominee Ronny Jackson in talks to withdraw, reports sayRonny Jackson, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, “is in active discussions with senior White House officials about withdrawing his name from consideration for the cabinet post,” NBC News reports.Storified by CMGNationalNews· Fri, May 04 2018 12:08:35 Trump responds to Ronny Jackson's withdrawal on Fox & Friends: "You could take the head of the biggest hospital corporation of the world, and it's peanuts compared to the VA. So nobody has experience. You know it's a big monster." https://t.co/vp9Skgai5gAxiosUpdate Apr 26, 2018 8:10 AM EDT: Trump is reacting to Jackson's withdrawal in an interview on"Fox and Friends."

He called the allegations against Jackson false and said his next nominee will be "someone with political capabilities."Trump: “These are false accusations (against VA Sec nominee Ronny Jackson) ... I think @SenatorTester has a big price to pay for this.”Leo Shane III“The admiral is not a politician, that’s what I liked” says Trump about Ronny Jackson, says next pick for VA will have political experienceCharlie SpieringTrump says on Fox his next VA nominee: "I think we're gonna have somebody great." Says it will be someone "with political capabilities."Jeremy DiamondUpdate Apr 26, 2018 8:02 AM EDT: Jackson released the following statement, according to the Cox Media Group Washington News Bureau:

"One of the greatest honors in my life has been to serve this country as a physician both on the battlefield with United States Marines and as proud member of the United States Navy.

"It has been my distinct honor and privilege to work at the White House and serve three Presidents.

"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.

"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.

"In my role as a doctor, I have tirelessly worked to provide excellent care for all my patients. In doing so, I have always adhered to the highest ethical standards.

"Unfortunately, because of how Washington works, these false allegations have become a distraction for this President and the important issue we must be addressing – how we give the best care to our nation’s heroes.

"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.

"I am proud of my service to the country and will always be committed to the brave veterans who volunteer to defend our freedoms."NEW: Jackson Statement on Withdrawal https://t.co/lGIDKjbecbFin GomezORIGINAL STORY: Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, “is in active discussions with senior White House officials about withdrawing his name from consideration for the cabinet post,” NBC News reports.

The outlet was among several others, including Reuters and the New York Daily News, to report the news, citing unnamed sources.

NBC News said Jackson, a rear admiral in the Navy and Trump's physician, "has grown frustrated with the process."

>> Jamie Dupree: Trump pick to head VA in trouble as Senators postpone hearing

The developments came after the New York Times reported that a White House staffer told the Senate Veteran’s Affairs Committee that Jackson gave “a large supply” of the prescription opioid Percocet to a White House military office worker and that Jackson’s staff was “panicked” when it couldn’t account for the missing drugs, according to The New York Times.

The Times also reported that Jackson wrote himself prescriptions, then asked a physician assistant to give him the medication when he got caught.

Additionally, Jackson has been accused of crashing a government vehicle while intoxicated and banging on the door of a female colleague's hotel room while drunk, CNN reported.

On Tuesday, top Senators in both parties announced that a Wednesday confirmation hearing Jackson would be "postponed until further notice," according to Cox Media Group’s Jamie Dupree.

At the time, Trump told White House reporters that he didn't "want to put a man through a process like this."

"It’s totally his decision,” Trump said, Dupree reported. “I will tell you, he is one of the finest people that I’ve met.”

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that Trump stands behind Jackson.Breaking overnight: Sources tell @NBCNews White House doctor Ronny Jackson -- President Trump's embattled pick to lead the VA -- is in active discussions about withdrawing his name from consideration after becoming increasingly frustrated by the process. #NBCCTHeidi Voight

>> MORE COVERAGE: Embattled VA nominee Ronny Jackson accused of drunken driving, drug use | Jamie Dupree: Trump pick to head VA in trouble as Senators postpone hearing | Senate postpones hearing for Trump VA pick Ronny Jackson amid 'serious allegations' | More trending news

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