President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia to serve as his secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins, a former congressman and Trump loyalist, is also a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command and served in the Iraq War in 2008. Trump praised Collins as an advocate for active duty service members, veterans, and military families, highlighting the need to support those who have served in the military.
Collins, who recently ran for U.S. Senate in Georgia but did not win, has been a supporter of Trump and helped push his baseless claims of widespread voter fraud in the state following the 2020 election. The Veterans Affairs Department, which serves over 9 million veterans, is currently led by Biden-appointee Denis McDonough.
Collins expressed his honor in accepting the nomination, vowing to fight for better care and support for veterans by streamlining regulations, combating corruption, and ensuring all veterans receive the benefits they have earned. The Department of Veterans Affairs employs nearly 371,000 health care professionals and support staff across the country. Trump’s nomination of Collins comes as part of his rapid efforts to assemble his upcoming administration.
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