Rep. Seth Moulton says he’s ambivalent about the nomination of Robert Wilkie, President Trump’s pick to head the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“He’s not the kind of person that I would like to support, because I think we need some true leadership at the VA [and] we shouldn’t have anybody with a checkered past,” Moulton said during an interview with Boston Public Radio Thursday. “We have 350 million Americans. If this is the best guy we can come up with, then that’s pretty sad.”
“At the same time, you’ve got to look at who Trump might put up next," Moulton continued. “I think a lot of people right now are thrilled that he’s at least not someone who wants to dismantle the VA and tear it all apart, which is what the president wants to do.”
Wilkie is a conservative nominee with three decades of military policymaking experience. As reported in The Washington Post, Wilkie also has participated in memorial ceremonies held by descendants of Confederate veterans and actively defended displays of Confederate symbols as a past member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
“He’s not distinguished, he’s not exceptional,” Moulton said. “I mean, he’s not going to change the world, and frankly we do need some leadership at the VA that can really change things around, but he’s not totally objectionable either, so maybe he’s the best we can get.”
Wilkie’s nomination has been referred to the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, which has not yet scheduled confirmation hearings.
