Defense Policy

Lawsuit calls acting VA Secretary Wilkie's appointment illegal, demands immediate removal

Military Times: Advocacy groups sued the White House on Monday to remove acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie from that role, arguing his appointment violated federal law.

Wilkie, who also serves as the Defense Department’s under secretary for personnel and readiness, was named the acting head of VA last month when President Donald Trump dismissed then Secretary David Shulkin over Twitter.

But Wilkie’s appointment has raised concerns among multiple veterans groups, who have complained the role should have gone to Deputy Secretary Thomas Bowman, the next leader in line at the department. Like Shulkin, Bowman in recent months has sparred with White House officials on policy matters, but White House officials have not yet said whether he will lose his job.

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