Trump is reportedly going to fire VA Secretary David Shulkin soon, but not just yet
President Trump is preparing to fire Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, following reports of spending abuses and a revolt at the VA, at least among a handful of political appointees, three administration officials told The Associated Press on Sunday. One official put the odds that Shulkin would be ousted in the next day or so at "50-50."
In conversations from Mar-a-Lago over the weekend, Trump "did say that he's expecting to make one or two major changes," Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, a Trump confidant, told ABC's This Week. "Now, other White House sources, not the president, tell me that Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is likely to depart the Cabinet very soon." Trump reportedly told associates at Mar-a-Lago that he plans to keep on Chief of Staff John Kelly and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, both subject of rumored departures.
The White House is looking at a half-dozen people to replace Shulkin, AP reports, ranging from conservative Fox & Friends contributor Pete Hegseth to former Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, and Lockheed Martin senior vice president and former VA deputy secretary Leo Mackey Jr. The VA, with 370,000 employees, is the second-largest federal department, after Homeland Security, and it profiles medical care and other benefits to about 9 million veterans.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Rumors about Shulkin's ouster have been spreading since February, but "right now, Trump is happy to watch Shulkin twist in the wind for a while," says Jonathan Swan at Axios. "A prolonged period of job insecurity and public humiliation is a uniquely Trumpian form of payback," in Shulkin's case for "freelancing to The New York Times," mishandling of internal disputes, and other perceived errors.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How safe are cruise ships in storms?
The Explainer The vessels are always prepared
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bans
Speed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz ethics report in limbo as sex allegations emerge
Speed Read A lawyer representing two women alleges that Matt Gaetz paid them for sex, and one witnessed him having sex with minor
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden allows Ukraine to hit deep in Russia
Speed Read The U.S. gave Ukraine the green light to use ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington, a decision influenced by Russia's escalation of the war with North Korean troops
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sri Lanka's new Marxist leader wins huge majority
Speed Read The left-leaning coalition of newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won 159 of the legislature's 225 seats
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden arrives in Peru for final summits
Speed Read President Joe Biden will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, visit the Amazon rainforest and attend two major international summits
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Senate GOP selects Thune, House GOP keeps Johnson
Speed Read John Thune will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader, and Mike Johnson will remain House speaker in Congress
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump tests GOP loyalty with Gaetz, Gabbard picks
Speed Read He named Matt Gaetz as his pick for attorney general and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. Both have little experience in their proposed jurisdictions.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published