In defense of Secretary Shulkin — a great leader and a problem solver

During the Trump administration’s first year, the reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs, enacted by Secretary Dr. David Shulkin, were touted as one of the president’s most spectacular successes. Shulkin worked with Congress to launch a number of new initiatives that seemed to change the direction of the behemoth agency.

Working closely with Congress, Secretary Shulkin drew praise for legislative achievements and his no nonsense approach to implementing them. This led to him being labeled as Trump’s most popular Cabinet secretary.

{mosads}Without question, the early accolades were deserved. Shulkin enacted the common-sense approach to standardize Department of Defense and VA medical records. He quickly moved to fire incompetent VA officials. He also authorized mental health services for veterans with other than honorable discharges whose separations were fueled by post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injuries.

Shulkin listens to veterans rather than relying solely on the bureaucracy. I have met with him twice last year and was impressed with his sincerity and his willingness to listen. When we mentioned that World War II veterans exposed to mustard gas were being denied benefits, he expressed surprise.

A few months later, Shulkin reversed the VA policy and supported legislation, signed by President Trump this past August to provide a pathway to benefits. When budgeteers proposed cutting benefits for totally disabled veterans who also drew social security, Shulkin intervened. He also halted cuts to a program providing benefits to homeless veterans. 

I have reached out to Secretary Shulkin on several occasions. He is the first VA Secretary to acknowledge that Agent Orange benefits should be restored to those who served in the bays, harbors and territorial seas of Vietnam. These veterans were stripped of their benefits in 2002. 

He took decisive action when I informed him that dozens of homeless veterans were housed in a building without heat or hot water in near freezing temperatures. When canine medical testing abuses were brought to his attention, Shulkin promised a fresh look.

Unfortunately, Shulkin has been the target of a coup attempt by internal forces at the White House and the conservative Concerned Veterans of America (CVA). White House insider Jake Leinenkugel has called for Shulkin’s firing. Insiders are pushing former CVA CEO Pete Hegseth or former House Veterans Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller as replacements.

It’s time to stop the drama. Secretary Shulkin was the same man he was six months ago and I frankly do not care whether he made a mistake by allowing his wife to travel at government expense or accepted tickets to Wimbledon. Nor do I care if he asked his security detail to give him a hand at the Home Depot. Like Stormy Daniels, these “scandals” belong in the “who cares” file.

The Veterans Administration is a large organization with serious culture problems. Bureaucrats who staff this bloated federal colossus work more for themselves than for veterans. Often the relations between the VA and the veterans are downright hostile. Known colloquially as the Department of Veterans Abuse, the VA has lumbered along for decades promoting form over substance while pointedly ignoring the needs of veterans.

Shulkin does something that no other secretary has done in recent memory — he listens and learns. Although I may disagree with him on some matters, I know that he will consider my views. He approaches everything with an open mind and carefully analyzes issues. He has overruled the bureaucrats and reversed course when he believes that the VA policy is wrong. He has been a breath of fresh air in a Department that prides itself on its arrogance and arbitrariness.

Shulkin still enjoys the support of most veterans service organizations and key members of Congress. The bureaucrats and backbiters in his Department have smelled blood in the water and formed an uneasy alliance with CVA sympathizers who have positioned themselves as the anti-Shulkin.

Shulkin is unpopular because he is a problem solver. His approach is elastic, and he adjusts his methodology to the realities of the situation. This is anathema to the ideologues within the VA and the CVA. The fact that the privatization perspective of CVA is in direct contrast to the turf expansion policies of the bureaucracy is immaterial.

Both sides feel Shulkin’s flexible and practical approach is a threat. By eliminating Shulkin, both sides see opportunities. CVA sees an opportunity to move towards their privatization goal. The VA bureaucracy sees a chance to return to business as usual.

The losers in this battle are the veterans. Although the White House has provided tepid support, the conventional wisdom is that Shulkin is finished. Meanwhile, he is becoming less and less effective as his position weakens and his enemies grow stronger.

It is time to stop. President Trump promised to drain the swamp. The biggest swamp in Washington is the VA. Shulkin made great strides during his first year. But as the old saying does, “when you are up to your anterior in alligators, it is hard to drain the swamp.” The President needs to neuter the alligators in the White House and CVA and let Shulkin get back to draining.

John B. Wells is a retired Navy Commander. After retirement he became an attorney practicing military and veterans law. He is executive director of the nonprofit Military-Veterans Advocacy, Inc.