Sen. Jon Tester responded to President Donald Trump's call earlier on Saturday that the Montana Democrat step down from office over what the president said were "baseless" allegations he leveled against Adm. Ronny Jackson, the former nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Tester, a ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, maintained he had a duty to represent veterans in his state, saying, "I'll never stop fighting for them, KULR8-TV reported Saturday.
Trump, apparently incensed by Tester's allegations against Jackson which resulted in him withdrawing his nomination on Thursday, has tweeted several times on the subject. Most recently, Trump tweeted early Saturday, saying the charges were "false" and calling for Tester to resign.
"Allegations made by Senator Jon Tester against Admiral/Doctor Ron Jackson are proving false. The Secret Service is unable to confirm (in fact they deny) any of the phony Democrat charges which have absolutely devastated the wonderful Jackson family. Tester should resign. The.....
"....great people of Montana will not stand for this kind of slander when talking of a great human being. Admiral Jackson is the kind of man that those in Montana would most respect and admire, and now, for no reason whatsoever, his reputation has been shattered. Not fair, Tester!" Trump tweeted Saturday.
In a two-page report released Wednesday, Tester accused Jackson of drinking alcohol on the job, improperly prescribing and dispensing medications, and creating a "toxic" work environment. Jackson withdrew his nomination on Thursday saying he "did not expect to have to dignify baseless and anonymous attacks on my character and integrity."
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