In Effort To Fight Politicization Of VA, New Chief Intends To Reassign Officials At Heart Of Morale Crisis
The changes from the newly approved Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie would sideline much of agency’s interim leadership team under acting secretary Peter O’Rourke, who drew unfavorable reviews from lawmakers in both political parties following a dispute with the agency’s inspector general.
The Washington Post:
New Veterans Affairs Chief Plans To Reassign, Sideline Trump Loyalists Now In Power
In one of his first acts as President Trump’s Veterans Affairs secretary, Robert Wilkie intends to reassign several high-ranking political appointees at the center of the agency’s ongoing morale crisis and staffing exodus, according to three people familiar with his plans. Wilkie, who will be sworn in Monday, wants to form his own leadership team, these people say, and to ease lawmakers’ continued concern that VA, historically a nonpartisan corner of the government, has become highly politicized. He discussed the proposed personnel moves with Trump in recent days aboard Air Force One, while en route to a veterans convention in Kansas City, Mo., said an official close to the White House who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. (Rein, 7/29)
