WASHINGTON _ President Donald Trump has picked Robert Wilkie to be secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. If the U.S. Senate confirms him to the position, he would lead the second-largest agency in the U.S. government.
Trump made the announcement at a summit on prison reform Friday at the White House. Several Cabinet secretaries were in attendance, including Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were also there.
Wilkie has been the acting secretary of the VA. Before that, Trump picked him to be under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, a position that required confirmation by the Senate. Wilkie was confirmed unanimously.
