WASHINGTON _ President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday that Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., "should resign" for his role in helping to sink Dr. Ronny Jackson's nomination to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Dr. Jackson, who is the White House physician, withdrew his name from consideration Thursday after the Republican-led Senate Veterans Affairs committee delayed his confirmation hearing amid multiple reports of alleged on-the-job misconduct by Jackson.
Tester is up for re-election in 2018 in a state that strongly backed Trump in 2016, and Trump has indicated that he wants repercussions for Tester, who is the ranking Democrat on the Senate committee.
Tester's office gathered and released some of the allegations against Jackson, which included claims that he inappropriately dispensed prescription drugs, and wrecked a government vehicle after getting intoxicated at a Secret Service going-away party.
"I think Jon Tester has to have a big price to pay in Montana," Trump said during a wide-ranging half-hour phone conversation with the hosts of "Fox & Friends" on Thursday.
The White House said Friday that its internal records disprove some of the allegations.
"Allegations made by Senator Jon Tester against Admiral/Doctor Ron Jackson are proving false," Trump Tweeted Saturday morning. "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."
