The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee is broadening its investigation into the growing scandal around wealthy members of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort who have exerted undue influence on American veterans policy, despite having no official government position and no experience with veterans issues.
Until recently, the scandal centered around three Mar-a-Lago members in particular — but a recent report from ProPublica offered evidence that the problem was even more widespread.
That’s why Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, sent a letter late last week to the Department of Veterans Affairs demanding to know just how deep the corruption goes.
John Berman: “Propublica Has A Report That Discusses How These Three Friends Of The Presidents Who Go To Mar-A-Lago Have Influence Over The V.A. They’ve Been Giving Advice About The V.A.”
JOHN BERMAN: “Propublica has a report that discusses how these three friends of the presidents who go to Mar-a-Lago have influence over the V.A. They’ve been giving advice about the V.A., representatives of the V.A. have been flown down to mar-a-lago at taxpayer expense to meet with them. We’re talking about Ike Perlmutter, a big mucky muck at marvel entertainment. Also Bruce Moskowitz, a palm beach doctor.” [New Day, CNN, 8/9/18; Video]
Maggie Haberman: “Whether It’s Mar-A-Lago Or Bedminster Or Aspects Of Trump Tower, What You Have Is This Unofficial Shadow Government Around Donald Trump.”
NOTE: Since this article was published, Dr. Ronny Jackson pulled his nomination and is no longer the White House physician.
The following article by James Hohmann with Breanne Deppisch and Joanie Greve was posted on the Washington Post website April 24, 2018:
THE BIG IDEA:
President Trump promises “extreme vetting” of all immigrants, but he has repeatedly failed to hold his own Cabinet picks, senior White House staff and judicial nominees to the same standard. Ronny L. Jackson’s imperiled nomination to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs is just the latest example.
President Trump shakes hands with White House physician Ronny Jackson. Credit: Carolyn Kaster/AP
Senate lawmakers postponed the White House doctor’s confirmation hearing last night after top Republicans and Democrats raised concerns about his qualifications and oversight of the White House medical staff.
Jackson’s Wednesday hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs was set to be brutal because several lawmakers fear he lacks the experience to lead an agency with 360,000 employees and an annual budget of $186 billion. They’re also frustrated that Trump sprung the pick on them without advance consultation, and that Jackson did not go through a formal vetting process. It’s unclear whether it will be rescheduled. Continue reading “VA nominee’s struggles are a consequence of Trump’s vetting failures”
