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CNN: Pentagon watchdog report finds Ronny Jackson drank on duty, harassed staff as WH physician

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) allegedly made "sexual and denigrating" comments about a female staffer, drank alcohol and took sleeping medication while working as White House physician, according to an official report obtained by CNN Tuesday night.

Driving the news: The Department of Defense inspector general's report stems from a years-long investigation. Jackson has called the allegations "false and fabricated."


  • The report covers his time as White House physician during the Obama and Trump administrations, and it's based on official documents and interviews with 78 witnesses, per CNN.

Zoom in: Among the allegations are that Jackson was known for "yelling, screaming, cursing, or belittling subordinates," drinking while on presidential trips in violation of protocol and taking Ambien on long flights while on duty, according to CNN.

  • The report is expected to be publicly released on Wednesday.

What they're saying: Jackson, who was elected to the House last November, said in an emailed statement that Democrats were using the report "to repeat and rehash untrue attacks on my integrity."

  • He said he was the "subject of a political hit job" three years ago and that today, the inspector general's report has "resurrected those same false allegations from my years with the Obama Administration because I have refused to turn my back on President Trump."
  • "I'm proud of the work environment I fostered under three different Presidents of both parties," Jackson added.
"I flat out reject any allegation that I consumed alcohol while on duty. I also categorically deny any implication that I was in any way sexually inappropriate at work, outside of work, or anywhere with any member of my staff or anyone else. That is not me and what is alleged did not happen."

Of note: Jackson withdrew his nomination as then-President Trump's nominee for Veterans Affairs secretary in 2018 because he said the original allegations about him had "become a distraction for this President."

  • Representatives for the inspector general did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Pentagon effectively bans Confederate flag from military installations

The Pentagon effectively banned the display of the Confederate flag on military installations, per a memo signed Thursday by Defense Secretary Mark Esper and obtained by the AP.

Why it matters: The move was done in a way meant to largely avoid President Trump's ire by not explicitly banning it. The memo instead listed flags that are allowed to be displayed on military property, leaving out the Confederate flag.

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Why it matters: The comments come after reports that Trump's campaign is having real money concerns — an unusual position for an incumbent that has worried GOP operatives. The campaign has yet to release its August fundraising, but Joe Biden and the Democrats say they raised a record-breaking $364.5 million last month.

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Why it matters: Per Axios' Miriam Kramer, this marks the last contracted flight on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft for NASA, marking the transition to using U.S. launch providers like SpaceX instead.

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AOC says it's "extremely important" that Biden offer Bernie Sanders a Cabinet position

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that she believes it's "extremely important" that Joe Biden offer Sen. Bernie Sanders and other progressive leaders Cabinet positions if he's elected president.

The big picture: Ocasio-Cortez was pressed repeatedly on policy differences between her and the more moderate Biden, including her opposition to fracking and support for Medicare for All. She responded that it would be a "privilege" and a "luxury" to be able to lobby a Biden administration on progressive issues, insisting that the focus right now should be on winning the White House.

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