White House physician Ronny Jackson was apparently not a very popular coworker.
Jackson, whom President Trump has nominated to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been the subject of concerning allegations all week, and the Senate has postponed his confirmation hearing indefinitely in light of the rumors. On Wednesday, the situation worsened, as current and former colleagues of Jackson's detailed allegations of serious workplace misconduct in a damning new report gathered by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and published by NBC News.
The allegations, which were previously reported more generally, paint a picture of a "flat-out unethical" leader who created a hostile work environment and engaged in medical malpractice while drinking on the job. In Tester's report, 23 military colleagues say that Jackson would prescribe drugs "like candy" without paperwork or examinations, while also writing himself prescriptions and pressuring others to recklessly hand out sleeping pills. Jackson served in the Navy as a rear admiral.
Additionally, colleagues recall Jackson as being "volatile" and "vindictive," working his way up the food chain with "belittling" and "abusive" behavior. To top it all off, the report says that as presidential physician, Jackson was on one occasion out of reach while on call because he was "passed out drunk in his hotel room," and on another occasion so drunk at a Secret Service party that he "wrecked a government vehicle."
Jackson's confirmation hearing has yet to be rescheduled, and Trump on Tuesday suggested that while he supports Jackson, he wouldn't blame him if he decides to withdraw from consideration. Jackson denied to Reuters that he wrecked a vehicle, and said that he plans to move forward with his nomination. Read Tester's full report here.