In a recent development, former White House physician and current House Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) has been reported to have been demoted to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Navy, following allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct and alcohol abuse while on the job. This demotion, which took place in 2022, came after a scathing report by the Pentagon's inspector general.

The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (OIG) received numerous complaints in 2018 regarding Jackson's behavior as the White House physician. The investigation into these allegations had faced obstacles due to objections from the Trump administration. However, the OIG released a report in 2021 which found that Jackson had created a negative work environment by belittling, bullying, and humiliating his subordinates. The report also revealed instances of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct involving alcohol.

After the release of the inspector general's report, Jackson was quietly demoted from the rank of Rear Admiral, a position he held until his retirement in 2019. This demotion carries significant financial penalties, including a substantial decrease in retirement pension. The demotion, previously unreported, was confirmed by an anonymous Defense Department official and a former U.S. official.

During his time in office, Jackson had a close relationship with former President Trump, who often cited him to defend his health and mental acuity. Jackson famously praised Trump's health and cognitive abilities in a press conference and even referred to him as the "MAGA King." Maintaining his allegiance to Trump, Jackson claims that the allegations against him and the inspector general's findings were politically motivated.

Jackson's actions as the White House physician continued to haunt him even before leaving his role under Trump's administration. His nomination for Secretary of Veterans Affairs collapsed in 2018 due to the misconduct allegations and rumors of him acting as the White House's "drug candyman." Earlier this year, an OIG report revealed that the White House Medical Unit's pharmacy distributed prescription medication with little oversight and inappropriate record-keeping.

While Jackson has not been directly implicated in the medication distribution investigation, Rolling Stone reports that medications like Xanax and Modafinil were readily available to White House staffers. Many of the sources interviewed by Rolling Stone pointed to Jackson as the source of dysfunction within the White House Medical Unit.

As the controversy surrounding Jackson continues, his demotion signifies a significant blow to his military career. The lingering allegations of misconduct and his association with the Trump administration have cast a long shadow over his professional endeavors. It remains to be seen how Jackson will navigate these challenges and their potential impact on his political aspirations.