Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson faced a quiet demotion by the Navy in 2022, according to reports released Thursday.
The demotion saw Jackson's rank reduced from rear admiral (lower half) to captain following a damning report from the Defense Department watchdog detailing his behaviour during his time as a physician in the White House.
Pentagon Report Exposes Allegations Against Jackson
This administrative action came as a response to findings from a Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoDIG) investigation conducted in March 2021, according to The Washington Post.
The investigation unearthed instances of inappropriate behavior during Jackson's tenure as the top White House physician under Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Specifically, the report highlighted incidents where Jackson allegedly engaged in misconduct, including the misuse of alcohol during presidential trips and mistreatment of subordinates. One notable incident involved Jackson reportedly making inappropriate comments to a female subordinate during a trip in 2014.
According to the Pentagon report, during a presidential trip to Manila a decade ago, Jackson was accused of making inappropriate comments about a female subordinate's body and knocking on her hotel room door while drunk, saying "I need you."
He also allegedly took both the female subordinate and another subordinate to his room to take photos of himself eating street food. The female subordinate described Jackson's behavior as resembling that of a fraternity member. She felt uncomfortable with his drunken late-night visit and emphasized that a Naval officer in his position should not behave in such a manner.
Jackson Denies Accusations
Jackson previously denied the allegations. He further denied any implication of sexual impropriety at work or elsewhere.
"I flat out reject any allegation that I consumed alcohol while on duty," he said. "I also categorically deny any implication that I was in any way sexually inappropriate at work, outside of work, or anywhere with any member of my staff or anyone else," the doctor aid. "That is not me and what is alleged did not happen."
Despite his denials, the findings of the DoDIG report prompted the Navy to take administrative action against him. Jackson continues to identify himself as a retired rear admiral, the rank he held until December 1, 2019. According to his website, he describes himself as a retired US Navy Rear Admiral with 25 years of military service.
Jackson's controversial journey extends beyond his time as White House physician. In 2018, then-President Trump nominated him to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, allegations of misconduct surfaced during the nomination process, leading Jackson to withdraw his candidacy.
Despite this setback, Jackson maintained his political aspirations and successfully transitioned to a career in Congress, winning a House seat in Texas in 2020. Throughout his career, Jackson has remained a staunch supporter of Trump, earning praise from the former president for his service.
