This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43574256

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
David Shulkin: Sacked secretary in parting shot at Trump David Shulkin: Sacked secretary in parting shot at Trump
(35 minutes later)
Sacked US Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin has fired a parting shot at President Donald Trump in media interviews.Sacked US Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin has fired a parting shot at President Donald Trump in media interviews.
Mr Shulkin said figures within the administration were planning to privatise veterans' healthcare, and he lost his job because he opposed them.Mr Shulkin said figures within the administration were planning to privatise veterans' healthcare, and he lost his job because he opposed them.
President Trump replaced Mr Shulkin on Wednesday with the White House doctor, Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson.President Trump replaced Mr Shulkin on Wednesday with the White House doctor, Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson.
It was the latest in a series of departures from Mr Trump's cabinet.It was the latest in a series of departures from Mr Trump's cabinet.
This month alone, the president has fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Adviser HR McMaster, while his top economic adviser Gary Cohn also left. Meanwhile, White House communications director Hope Hicks' last day was on Wednesday.This month alone, the president has fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Adviser HR McMaster, while his top economic adviser Gary Cohn also left. Meanwhile, White House communications director Hope Hicks' last day was on Wednesday.
Mr Trump announced Mr Shulkin's sacking on Twitter, posting: "I am thankful for Dr David Shulkin's service to our country and to our GREAT VETERANS!"Mr Trump announced Mr Shulkin's sacking on Twitter, posting: "I am thankful for Dr David Shulkin's service to our country and to our GREAT VETERANS!"
What did Shulkin say?What did Shulkin say?
In a scathing column for the New York Times, Mr Shulkin wrote: "As I prepare to leave government, I am struck by a recurring thought: It should not be this hard to serve your country."In a scathing column for the New York Times, Mr Shulkin wrote: "As I prepare to leave government, I am struck by a recurring thought: It should not be this hard to serve your country."
He said that in recent months "the environment in Washington has turned so toxic, chaotic, disrespectful and subversive that it became impossible for me to accomplish the important work that our veterans need and deserve".He said that in recent months "the environment in Washington has turned so toxic, chaotic, disrespectful and subversive that it became impossible for me to accomplish the important work that our veterans need and deserve".
The former hospital administrator, who first served under President Barack Obama, said that "advocates within the administration for privatising" veterans' healthcare services "saw me as an obstacle to privatisation who had to be removed".The former hospital administrator, who first served under President Barack Obama, said that "advocates within the administration for privatising" veterans' healthcare services "saw me as an obstacle to privatisation who had to be removed".
It is traditional for departing cabinet secretaries to thank the president for giving them the opportunity to serve, but Mr Shulkin pointedly made no reference to Mr Trump.It is traditional for departing cabinet secretaries to thank the president for giving them the opportunity to serve, but Mr Shulkin pointedly made no reference to Mr Trump.
Wasn't Shulkin accused of wrongdoing? Why was Shulkin under a cloud?
In an interview with National Public Radio (NPR) on Thursday morning, Mr Shulkin said a critical report by an internal watchdog had been used by the White House as a pretext to get rid of him.In an interview with National Public Radio (NPR) on Thursday morning, Mr Shulkin said a critical report by an internal watchdog had been used by the White House as a pretext to get rid of him.
The inspector general's report found that Mr Shulkin and his wife used an official trip to Europe last summer to sightsee and improperly accepted tickets for the Wimbledon tennis tournament.The inspector general's report found that Mr Shulkin and his wife used an official trip to Europe last summer to sightsee and improperly accepted tickets for the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
"There was nothing improper about this trip, and I was not allowed to put up an official statement or to even respond to this by the White House," he said."There was nothing improper about this trip, and I was not allowed to put up an official statement or to even respond to this by the White House," he said.
"I think this was really just being used in a political context to try to make sure that I wasn't as effective as a leader moving forward.""I think this was really just being used in a political context to try to make sure that I wasn't as effective as a leader moving forward."
The inspector general identified "serious derelictions" during the nine-day business trip, which cost taxpayers more than $122,000 (£87,000). The inspector general found the secretary and his wife had spent nearly half the nine-day business trip in "sightseeing and other unofficial activities".
The report found the secretary and his wife had spent nearly half the journey in "sightseeing and other unofficial activities".
Mr Shulkin agreed last month to reimburse the government for his wife's airfare, which was more than $4,300.Mr Shulkin agreed last month to reimburse the government for his wife's airfare, which was more than $4,300.
What's the reaction?What's the reaction?
Some veterans have questioned the qualifications of Mr Shulkin's replacement, Ronny Jackson.Some veterans have questioned the qualifications of Mr Shulkin's replacement, Ronny Jackson.
"We are disappointed and already quite concerned about this nominee," said Joe Chenelly, the national executive director of American Veterans."We are disappointed and already quite concerned about this nominee," said Joe Chenelly, the national executive director of American Veterans.
"The administration needs to be ready to prove that he's qualified to run such a massive agency, a $200 billion bureaucracy," he added."The administration needs to be ready to prove that he's qualified to run such a massive agency, a $200 billion bureaucracy," he added.
The group Disabled American Veterans said it was "extremely concerned about the existing leadership vacuum" at the Department of Veterans Affairs.The group Disabled American Veterans said it was "extremely concerned about the existing leadership vacuum" at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"At a time of critical negotiations over the future of @VeteransHealth care reform, @DeptVetAffairs today has no Secretary, no UnderSecretary of Health or Benefits and the named Acting Secretary has no background in health care and no apparent experience working in or with the VA," the group wrote on Twitter. Who's Ronny Jackson?
Rear Admiral Jackson, 50, has worked as presidential physician to three presidents, serving George W Bush and Barack Obama before Mr Trump moved into the White House.
He comes to the veterans' post, which entails running a vast department, with little administrative or political experience.
However, he has a wealth of military experience, having served with a Marine unit during the war in Iraq.
He caught public attention after Mr Trump's medical, telling reporters the president was in "excellent health".