Embattled VA chief Shinseki resigns
May 31, 2014
President Obama said Friday that he has accepted the resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki in the wake of major problems within the health care system for veterans. Obama — who made the announcement minutes after meeting with Shinseki — said he regretted accepting the resignation, but "the VA needs new leadership" and he agreed with the secretary's own assessment that he has become too much of a distraction. "We don't have time for distractions," Obama said. "We need to fix the problem." Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson will take temporary charge of the department, Obama said, adding that he will nominate a new permanent secretary soon.
May 31, 2014
President Obama said Friday that he has accepted the resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki in the wake of major problems within the health care system for veterans. Obama — who made the announcement minutes after meeting with Shinseki — said he regretted accepting the resignation, but "the VA needs new leadership" and he agreed with the secretary's own assessment that he has become too much of a distraction. "We don't have time for distractions," Obama said. "We need to fix the problem." Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson will take temporary charge of the department, Obama said, adding that he will nominate a new permanent secretary soon.
One down, several additional VA administrative heads need to roll. Criminal charges should also be lodged against those who committed fraud and 'cooked the books' to receive pay bonuses.
In an unrelated development, longtime Obama White House press secretary Jay Carney also announced his resignation.
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