Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power
Veterans Affairs: Mar-a-Lago Members Shaped Policy, VA Secretary Firing
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, pressed for months for additional vetting of a $10 billion electronic health records contract with Cerner, 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.'