Yuri Gripas/Reuters
President Trump on Saturday called on Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) to step down after “phony” allegations prompted White House physician Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson to withdraw from consideration as secretary of veterans affairs. “Allegations made by Senator Jon Tester against Admiral/Doctor Ron Jackson are proving false. The Secret Service is unable to confirm (in fact they deny) any of the phony Democrat charges which have absolutely devastated the wonderful Jackson family. Tester should resign,” Trump tweeted. He went on to describe Jackson as a “great human being” whose “reputation has been shattered.” While the president singled out the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs for making several misconduct allegations against Jackson public, Tester was joined by some Republican lawmakers in calling for further vetting. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) signed a joint statement with Tester calling for an investigation into claims Jackson was drunk on the job, crashed a government vehicle, and over-prescribed medications. Several Republican lawmakers involved in the confirmation process also told The Daily Beast the White House’s vetting procedure was to blame for Jackson’s failed nomination.