Texas Republican Representative Ronny Jackson was harshly criticized after news reports revealed he was discreetly demoted by the U.S. Navy following a report by the Defense Department inspector general that revealed that he engaged in "inappropriate conduct" during his tenure as the top White House physician for Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Records obtained by NBC News indicate that Jackson, who retired from the Navy as a rear admiral in 2019, is now listed as a captain.
While a Navy spokesperson refrained from commenting on Jackson's rank, a statement emphasized that the "substantiated allegations in the DoDIG investigation of Rear Adm (lower half) Ronny Jackson are not in keeping with the standards the Navy requires of its leaders, and, as such, the Secretary of the Navy took administrative action in July 2022."
The specifics of the administrative action were not disclosed, but anonymous sources mentioned to The Washington Post that it involved a reduction in rank.
The inspector general's review, concluded in 2021, unveiled instances where Jackson consumed alcohol, made inappropriate sexual comments to subordinates, and used the sedative Ambien during his tenure as the White House physician. Additionally, the report outlined instances of mistreatment towards subordinates, encompassing disparagement, belittlement, bullying, and humiliation.
Many have condemned Jackson's behavior.
In response to the findings, Jackson rejected the allegations, accusing Democrats of using the report "to repeat and rehash untrue attacks on my integrity” because "I have refused to turn my back on President Trump."
The demotion holds significance not only as a disciplinary measure but also in terms of financial implications for Jackson. The annual pension payment for a retired one-star admiral exceeds that of a retired captain by over $15,000, a gap that may widen with periodic rate increases over time.
Jackson still refers to himself as a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral on his congressional website.
