Trump Rails on Dem Who Helped Derail VA Pick: 'Not Fair, Tester!'

The White House said Friday that internal records raise doubt about some of the most serious allegations leveled against White House doctor Ronny Jackson in his failed bid to become the next secretary of Veterans Affairs. Jackson withdrew his nomination Thursday after allegations by current and former colleagues raised questions about his prescribing practices and leadership ability, including accusations of drunkenness on the job. The office of Montana Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, collected the allegations, which included a claim that Jackson "got drunk and wrecked a government vehicle" at a Secret Service going-away party. Internal records, including police reports, show Jackson was in three minor vehicle incidents in government vehicles over the last five years, but none involved the use of alcohol and he wasn't found to be at fault.

The White House medical unit Jackson ran passed regular controlled substance audits and found no misconduct, per records for the last three years. Separately, the Secret Service said it has no evidence to support an allegation that its personnel intervened in a Jackson disturbance overseas in 2015. As predicted by Politico, President Trump went after Tester Saturday morning. "Allegations made by Senator Jon Tester against Admiral/Doctor Ron Jackson are proving false," he tweeted, adding the allegations "have absolutely devastated the wonderful Jackson family. Tester should resign." In a second tweet: "The great people of Montana will not stand for this kind of slander when talking of a great human being. Admiral Jackson is the kind of man that those in Montana would most respect and admire, and now, for no reason whatsoever, his reputation has been shattered. Not fair, Tester!"