In a previously unreported decision, Ronny Jackson, the former White House physician turned GOP congressman, was demoted by the Navy in July 2022 following a Pentagon inspector general's report that substantiated allegations of his inappropriate behavior while serving as a White House physician. Jackson, who regularly highlights his military background, now holds the rank of retired Navy captain instead of retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, as stated on his congressional website.

The demotion not only carries a significant financial burden for Jackson but also imposes a social stigma within military circles. Despite the demotion, Jackson and several Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have continued to refer to him using his former rank. It remains unclear if they were aware of his demotion.

The difference in annual pension payouts between a retired one-star admiral, the rank Jackson held when he retired from the Navy in December 2019, and a retired captain is estimated to be over $15,000. This payout gap is expected to widen as the military periodically increases pay rates for each position.

Katherine L. Kuzminski, a military policy expert, criticized Jackson's self-representation as a retired rear admiral, stating that while others may mistakenly refer to him as such, he should not make that mistake himself. The Navy confirmed taking unspecified action against Jackson in response to the inspector general's report, which detailed allegations of berating subordinates, making inappropriate statements about a female subordinate, and consuming alcohol and sleep medication while on duty.

According to Lt. Cmdr. Joe Keiley, a Navy spokesman, the substantiated allegations in the Pentagon report are not in line with the Navy's standards, leading to administrative action against Jackson. Military guidelines allow for a provisional retirement rank if an officer is under investigation for misconduct at the time, but adverse findings can result in a downgrade to the last satisfactory grade served by the officer.

While Jackson has dismissed the inspector general's report as politically motivated in his memoir, "Holding the Line," he did not address his demotion in the Navy. The White House medical team, overseen by the Pentagon, has faced scrutiny following Jackson's tenure. A recent inspector general report faulted aspects of the unit's operations while he served, including lax controls over powerful medications.

Jackson's approach to providing round-the-clock care to numerous White House officials, even their friends and family, had won him favor within two presidential administrations. Former President Barack Obama considered him a friend and promoted him to the rank of one-star admiral. He subsequently became personal physician to former President Donald Trump.

Since retiring in 2019 to pursue a congressional career with Trump's support, Jackson has emerged as a prominent critic of President Joe Biden's fitness for office. He has repeatedly called for Biden to undergo a cognitive exam similar to the one he administered to Trump.

Within political circles, Jackson is often referred to as "Admiral," despite his demotion. His efforts to raise concerns about Biden's mental and physical health have gained traction among independent voters and some Democrats, with a recent poll showing greater confidence in Trump's fitness compared to Biden's.

As Jackson continues to misrepresent his rank and engage in the public discourse around the presidential campaign, the controversy surrounding his demotion from the Navy adds an additional layer to the scrutiny of his credibility and qualifications.