Veterans Affairs: Mar-a-Lago Members Shaped Policy, VA Secretary Firing
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The ProPublica investigation documented a 'shadow VA' in which the three Mar-a-Lago members — who paid $200,000 entry fees — exchanged hundreds of calls and emails with VA officials, reviewed candidates for top positions, influenced multimillion-dollar contract decisions including a $10 billion electronic health records contract, and shaped the VA's strategic direction without any official appointment. VA Secretary Shulkin had cooperated with the arrangements. He was fired amid internal feuding; Trump nominated his personal physician Ronny Jackson as replacement; Jackson withdrew after Senate investigators documented allegations of drunk driving, overprescribing, and creating a 'toxic work environment.'
Overview
Three Mar-a-Lago members — who paid $200,000 to join Trump's club — gained extraordinary informal influence over the Department of Veterans Affairs. They reviewed leadership candidates, influenced a $10 billion contract, and shaped VA policy. They had no official role, no security clearances, and no public accountability.
ProPublica published the documentation. The department serves 9 million veterans.
The Shadow VA
The ProPublica investigation documented what the reporters called a "shadow VA" — a parallel decision-making structure operating through informal channels. VA officials exchanged hundreds of messages with the Mar-a-Lago group. Leadership candidates were reviewed by people who had paid club membership fees, not Senate confirmation.
The $10 billion Cerner electronic health records contract — a decision affecting how the VA manages healthcare for 9 million veterans — was influenced by a Marvel Entertainment chairman and a Palm Beach physician, based on their access to the president and his club.
The Nomination
When Shulkin was fired, Trump nominated his personal physician Ronny Jackson. Jackson's credentials for managing 370,000 employees and a $200 billion budget were: he was Trump's doctor and Trump liked him.
Senate investigators examining his fitness documented allegations from current and former colleagues across his career: drunk driving in a government vehicle, overprescribing to White House staff, and creating a toxic work environment for subordinates. Jackson withdrew before his hearing. He later ran for Congress and won.
The Privatization Fight
Shulkin's op-ed after his firing named the fight: political appointees at the VA were trying to use the Veterans Choice program — a bipartisan policy allowing veterans to use private doctors — as the foundation for full privatization of the VA. Shulkin said the effort was ideological, not evidence-based. The Mar-a-Lago network's involvement in VA policy was consistent with that agenda.
Timeline
Sequence of events
January 21, 2017
Mar-a-Lago members begin informal VA influence
Perlmutter, Moskowitz, and Sherman begin exchanging communications with VA officials, reviewing leadership candidates, and shaping policy — with no official appointment, security clearance, or public disclosure.
March 28, 2018
Shulkin fired by tweet
Trump fires VA Secretary David Shulkin — who had previously received bipartisan praise — via Twitter. Shulkin later writes that unnamed political appointees were seeking to privatize the VA.
April 24, 2018
Ronny Jackson nominated, allegations emerge
Trump nominates his personal physician Ronny Jackson to lead the VA's 370,000 employees. Senate investigators document allegations of drunk driving, overprescribing, and toxic leadership. Jackson withdraws.
September 1, 2018
ProPublica publishes 'Shadow Rulers of the VA'
ProPublica publishes a detailed investigation documenting the scope of Mar-a-Lago member influence over the VA, including hundreds of communications and influence over the $10 billion Cerner contract.
Sources
- ↑ The Shadow Rulers of the VA — ProPublica archived ✓
- ↑ David Shulkin Is Out as Veterans Affairs Secretary — The New York Times
- ↑ Ronny Jackson faces new allegations; withdraws as VA nominee — The Washington Post
- ↑ ProPublica: Mar-a-Lago members shaped VA policy without accountability — The Associated Press
Verification