Washington: US President Donald Trump has indicated to associates that he was preparing to oust Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin, a media report said.
The news was confirmed to CNN on Sunday by an informed source. The announcement could happen as early as this week, the source said.
However, there is not official word on Shulkin’s removal.
Shulkin won unanimous confirmation from the Senate last year and had enjoyed bipartisan support and the backing of the President, who touted his legislative victories at VA.
But the situation grew tenuous in recent months with Shulkin telling reporters that Trump administration’s political appointees have been working to oust him over policy differences.
When asked last week about Shulkin’s status, a VA spokesperson said: “There are no personnel changes to announce at the Department of Veterans Affairs. President Trump has made clear that he expects the Department’s sole focus to be on providing quality care to America’s veterans who have sacrificed to keep this country free and safe.”
Sunday’s development comes after a string of other White House terminations earlier this month.
Trump fired FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe on March 16, National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster was removed from his post on March 15 and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was sacked on March 13.(IANS)
