Trump nominates acting VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to lead the department in surprise announcement

Robert Wilkie.
(Image credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

President Trump announced Friday that he is naming acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie as his nominee to lead the department.

The surprise nomination caught even Wilkie off guard, as it came in the middle of Trump's speech on prison reform. "He doesn't know this yet," said Trump as he made the announcement, "I'm sorry that I ruined the surprise."

Wilkie has been heading the Veterans Affairs Department since April, when Trump dismissed former VA Secretary David Shulkin. Dr. Ronny Jackson, Trump's previous pick to replace Shulkin, withdrew his nomination one month after Trump selected him amid allegations of rampant workplace misconduct, which he denied.

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.