Thread by @FPWellman

I don't want to miss the VA OIG report today on @SecWilkie and his teams handling of the sexual assault report in the DC VA Hospital. It confirms everything we have been saying for months. It shows he is a toxic, thin skinned, and despicable leader. (1) washingtonpost.com/politics/va-wi…

When reports came in the victim was also a Congressional staffer Wilkie decided that it was a political attack on him and then proceeded to launch a campaign to discredit her. To do this he enlisted his appointees to do his dirty work. That's where this gets really sinister. (2)

@DeptVetAffairs leaders decided attacking the victim was right. He connected with Dan Crenshaw who deployed with the victim to get dirt on her (that was false). Then Curt Cashour a public affairs official literally called a NYT reporter to shop it. (3) wsj.com/articles/va-se…

They told staff to spread lies about her and when the IG investigation said it couldn't substantiate the incident due to lack of evidence Wilkie sent a poisonous, offensive letter to Congressman Takano accusing her of making it up and hurting the VA. All of this out of spite. (4)

Then when his own Deputy Secretary wouldn't play along or cover for him he orchestrated his firing with false information and smears to the White House. Then installs his own personal conspirator as Acting DepSec. (5) stripes.com/news/us/former…

When the IG was tasked to investigate this series of events they closed ranks and Dan Crenshaw flat out refused to meet with the IG at all because he knew he'd be under oath and would get caught lying. He repeated the false info to a reporter later. (6) newsweek.com/rep-dan-crensh…

Amidst all of this conspiracy making, cover ups and attacks...who was taking care of veterans? What kind of a Cabinet Secretary spends his time attacking a veteran and mounting a coordinated campaign to discredit someone you're supposed to serve instead of doing his job? (7)

What kind of a Navy veteran and Congressman sits in the Secretary of VA's office and smears a fellow Navy officer with false lies about how she made false sexual harrassment reports then repeats them to a reporter later? How can any woman believe the word of Dan Crenshaw? (8)

All Wilkie had to do was say "I have seen the report of this incident in our hospital and I'm outraged by it. The VA supports all veterans and women must feel safe in our care. I pledge to investigate this matter and work to make the VA a home for veterans of any gender." (9)

It's not hard. Do the right thing for women veterans and for victims. Treat them with respect. But no. They didn't. The pathetic @VADepSec Pam Powers has the nerve to publish this bullshit just yesterday knowing the IG report was coming today. (10) blogs.va.gov/VAntage/82195/…

I have a lot of friends that work at VA and its horrifying what I have heard about Wilkie and Power's leadership. Their head games and politicization of the headquarters and especially the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. Who was taking care of veterans? (11)

Its fitting that his report comes on the same day that President-Elect Biden chose his nominee for VA @DenisMcDonough. He has his work cut out for him to clean out the politicization and the burrowed in appointees and make the VA a place veterans can feel safe and trust. (12)

Their time is up but Wilkie and Powers should resign in disgrace. Go home. Let us forget your toxic leadership. Wilkie supposedly wants to be a Senator from his home state of NC. Not going to happen Bobbie. We won't forget how you treated a woman sexaual assault victim. (13)

From the IG: “It was disappointing that V.A. did not put their full force and focus on determining whether corrective action should be taken to provide a safer and more welcoming environment in their D.C. and other medical facilities." (14)

It's not disappointing. Its outrageous. Officials charged with caring for veterans spent their time attacking, slandering and covering up their conspiracy instead of their duty. The Trump era has been a cancer at VA and it's time the tumor gets cut.(15) nytimes.com/2020/12/10/us/…