Officials familiar with the allegations against Jackson said that they suggest a pattern of behaviour, not just one or two isolated incidents
They have also received claims that Dr. Ronny L. Jackson drank too much on the job.
The allegations, which have been under investigation since last week, forced the postponement of Jackson’s confirmation hearing, planned for this Wednesday as senators scrutinize the nominee’s time leading the White House medical staff. Officials familiar with the allegations against Jackson said that they suggest a pattern of behaviour, not just one or two isolated incidents.
Jackson, a rear admiral in the Navy who serves as the White House physician, was already expected to face difficult questioning during his testimony before the committee. Last month, Trump fired his first Veterans Affairs secretary, David J. Shulkin, an experienced hospital administrator and veteran of the VA medical system, and then chose Jackson largely out of personal affinity.
The White House did little or no vetting of his background before announcing his nomination on Twitter. Before serving as a White House physician, Jackson had deployed as an emergency medicine physician to Taqaddum, Iraq, during the Iraq War.
Committee Democrats met briefly Monday evening to discuss how to proceed. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, the top Democrat on the panel, is leading the investigation. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., the committee’s chairman, was expected to make a final decision about postponement Tuesday.
The White House defended Jackson’s record in a statement, but did not address the nature of the claims against him.
