Trump said a few moments ago that he is gladly standing behind his VA nominee Ronny Jackson, who he says is a wonderful person that doesn’t deserve these attacks.
Watch:
JUST IN: Pres. Trump says he'd stand behind VA Sec. nominee Ronny Jackson if he sought to continue nomination process amid scrutiny over his conduct, but "If I were him…I wouldn't do it."
"I really don't think, personally, he should do it." https://t.co/2CNKVRtBGk pic.twitter.com/EYzhyE51Tn
— ABC News (@ABC) April 24, 2018
Trump did leave the door open for Jackson to withdraw his nomination, but only from the perspective of not having to endure such political attacks. He doesn’t believe Jackson should have to deal with this if he doesn’t want to.
In related news Dan Bongino is defending Jackson, who he said he knows, and calls the attacks disgusting:
Maybe Trump and Bongino are correct and the attacks are exaggerated or phony. What drew my attention to this in the first place, however, is that the Senate postponed Jackson’s hearing. By doing so it sounds like they are taking the allegations, as general as they are, seriously.
So we’ll see where this goes.
UPDATE:
After a meeting this morning, GOP Senator Moran says Jackson wants to respond to these allegations and is anxious for his nomination hearing to happen:
GOP KS Sen Moran after mtg w/Ronny Jackson: He knows of nothing that would prohibit him from being qualified, capable and the right person to be the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) April 24, 2018
GOP KS Sen Moran after mtg w/Ronny Jackson: I think the proper thing to do is not reach any conclusions. The Admiral indicated he was very anxious for his hearing and would like to respond to the allegations though my impression is he doesn’t exactly know what they are either.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) April 24, 2018