Trump's pick to head veterans affairs not dropping out, official says

A White House official said TuesdayRonny Jackson will not withdraw as a nominee to run the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, even as a report from 2012 surfaced in which he and another physician were criticized for "unprofessional behaviours" during a power struggle over the White House medical unit.

The report, reviewed Tuesday by The Associated Press, suggested officials consider replacing Jackson or Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman or both. Kuhlman was the physician to then-president Barack Obama, and had previously held the role occupied by Jackson: director of the White House medical unit.

The six-page report by the navy's medical inspector general found a lack of trust in the leadership and low morale among staff members, who described the working environment as "being caught between parents going through a bitter divorce."

"There is a severe and pervasive lack of trust in the leadership that has deteriorated to the point that staff walk on eggshells," the report found.

Jackson's nominationran into trouble earlier in the day when a Senate committee delayed indefinitely his confirmation inlight of "new information" it had received.

The New York Times, citing unnamed officials,reported onTuesdaythat the committee, which had planned to hold a nomination hearing on Wednesday, was examining allegations thatJackson oversaw a hostile work environment as White Housephysician,allowed theoverprescribingof drugsand possibly drank on the job.

U.S. President Donald Trumpon Tuesday left open the possibility that Jackson would withdraw, but hours later a White House official, speaking to the Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity, said Jackson will press on and fight allegations about his conduct.

"We're pushing back," the official said.

Trump chose Jackson, a U.S. Navy rear admiral,last month to replace David Shulkinat the VA after an official report found that Shulkin improperlyaccepted tickets to the Wimbledon tennis tournament and hischief of staff made false statements so Shulkin's wife couldtravel at government expense.

'Strong, decisive leadership'

But questions about Jackson's level of experience to head alarge bureaucracy weighed on his nomination before allegationssurfaced in the New York Times of improper conduct.

Jackson has worked as apresidential physician since the George W. Bush administration, and has been the lead doctor monitoring Trump's health sinceTrump became president.

White House spokespersonHoganGidleydefended Jackson, sayinghe had a "record of strong, decisive leadership" and that iswhat is needed at the veterans agency.

A White House official said the allegations raised againstJackson are unfair and "don'tappear to pass the smell test."

The official said there will be a discussion among seniorofficials on possible next steps in the nomination strategy,such as putting pressure on senators to back Jackson.

"At this stage I think we're full steam ahead," the official said, adding that the future of the nomination could depend onwhether Jackson has the stomach for a prolonged nomination fight.

Senator John Cornyn, the No. 2 Senate Republican, toldreporters his first instinct was to support Trump's nominee, but he thinks further scrutiny is required.

"I certainly support the committee's work tovet his background because we need to know the full picture," Cornyn said.