Doug Collins, the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, is expected to leave after the midterms, according to sources on Thursday. The reported exit follows criticism over how he handled a veterans' health bill and comes as the White House says President Donald Trump is not unhappy with him.
Thursday and Doug Collins
Sources described Collins' relationship with Republicans in Congress as "garbage" because of the bill dispute. That detail points to a break between the Cabinet official and lawmakers who have been involved in veterans issues, while the reported departure would remove the person running the department after the election period.
White House and Donald Trump
The White House told in a statement that the president is not unhappy with Collins. At the same time, sources said Collins may leave of his own accord, which leaves the report framed as an expectation rather than a done personnel change.
For veterans and for anyone tracking who will lead the department next, the practical question is simple: Collins is still in the job now, but the reported timeline points beyond the midterms. Until he actually leaves, the department remains under his control.
