President-elect Donald Trump has nominated one of his previous attorneys and former GOP House member Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Collins, a strong advocate for military personnel and veterans, will bring his expertise to ensure active-duty service members, veterans, and military families receive the support they need.
As a former congressman representing Georgia’s 9th district from 2013 to 2021, Collins has a deep understanding of veterans’ issues. His experience as a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command will also serve him well in this role.
“We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Service members, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need,” Trump said in a statement.
Collins, who served in Congress from 2013 to 2021, unsuccessfully ran for election to be a U.S. senator for Georgia in 2020. He is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command.
Following his nomination as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Collins said that he was honoured to accept Trump’s nomination and they would “fight tirelessly to streamline and cut regulations in the VA, root out corruption, and ensure every veteran receives the benefits they’ve earned.”
“Honoured to accept Donald Trump nomination as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Our heroes deserve the best care and support. We’ll fight tirelessly to streamline and cut regulations in the VA, root out corruption, and ensure every veteran receives the benefits they’ve earned. Together, we’ll make the VA work for those who fought for us. Time to deliver for our veterans and give them the world-class care they deserve,” Collins said in a post in X.
Honored to accept @realDonaldTrump nomination as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Our heroes deserve the best care and support.
We’ll fight tirelessly to streamline and cut regulations in the VA, root out corruption, and ensure every veteran receives the benefits they’ve earned.… pic.twitter.com/StWK0XcYAm
— Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) November 14, 2024
Earlier on Thursday, Trump announced the name of Robert F Kennedy Jr. as the next US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy Jr is the nephew of the 35th President of the US, John F Kennedy.
Trump won a second term as President of the United States after securing 295 electoral votes in the 2024 presidential election, defeating Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, who garnered 226 votes.
Following his victory, President-elect Donald Trump has moved swiftly with finalising his foreign policy and national security team ahead of his formal inauguration in January 2025.