Ronny Jackson removes himself from VA consideration after drinking claims

April 26--White House doctor Ronny Jackson removed himself from consideration for Veterans Affairs secretary Thursday amid accusations that he regularly drank on the job and over-prescribed drugs.

The so-called "Candyman" has also been accused of wrecking a government vehicle after getting drunk at a party, a claim Jackson has denied.

Jackson, 50, has faced questions about his experience since President Trump tapped his physician as his choice to lead the VA in late March.

"Unfortunately, because of how Washington works, these false allegations have become a distraction for this President and the important issue we must be addressing -- how we give the best care to our nation's heroes," he said in a statement.

Jackson continued to blast the allegations as "fabricated" and said "if they had any merit I would not be selected and promoted and entrusted to serve in such a sensitive and important role as physician to three presidents over 12 years."

Trump chimed in on the departure on "Fox and Friends" Thursday morning and blamed Jackson's withdrawal on Democratic obstructionism.

"You could take the head of the biggest hospital corporation of the world and it's peanuts compared to the VA. So nobody has experience. You know it is a big monster," Trump said of concerns over Jackson's experience.

A statement from the White House said Jackson continued to work at the White House through his role with the Navy.

Trump said he has someone with "political capability" in mind as his next nominee.

The administration's first VA secretary, David Shulkin, was dismissed following an ethics scandal and internal unrest from the agency, which has 360,000 employees serving 9 million veterans.

With News Wire Services

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