VA chief apologizes for special forces claim

Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald apologized Tuesday for making a false claim about this military service, but brushed of questions about whether his integrity had been compromised.

“I made a mistake and I apologize for it,” McDonald told reporters during a press conference.

Last month while speaking to a homeless veteran in Los Angeles, McDonald falsely said he had served in American special forces.

McDonald said he only made the comment “in an attempt to connect with that veteran, to make him feel comfortable.”

“That was wrong and I have no excuse.”

Despite a strong statement of support from the White House, McDonald is on thin ice with Capitol Hill lawmakers and prominent veterans service organization following his admission.

McDonald conceded “what I said was not on my mind at the time” nor did any agency staff accompanying him on the trip told him he misspoke.

The VA chief physically balked when asked if he had considered resigning.

“I want to serve veterans. I’m here to try to prove that we can make VA work and that the veterans who we serve can get all the benefits that they deserve,” he said.

He brushed off questions about whether his integrity had been compromised following the misstatement.

McDonald said he enjoys a “great relationship” with House Veterans’ Affairs chairman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) and emphasized there was “tremendous unanimity” between lawmakers and the agency when he appeared before the panel earlier this month.

“We’re here to serve veterans. Everybody wants that, nobody can dispute that,” McDonald said.