4/26/2018

DEMS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE/VA: “Jon Tester didn’t intend to play a central role in taking down President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Veterans Affairs Department. Yet that’s exactly what the Montana Democrat ended up doing And now, Trump is coming after him.The president is enraged over Tester’s work documenting allegations of malfeasance by Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, which quickly unraveled Jackson’s nomination to be VA secretary and marks a turning point in the relationship between the moderate Democrat and Trump. As Tester’s reelection campaign kicks into high gear, Trump is more motivated than ever to campaign against him in the ruby-red state — accusing the senator of irresponsibly leaking the damaging information to undermine the president’s nominee. Trump said Thursday [4-26-18] that Tester will have a ‘big price to pay’ for his part in working to sink Jackson’s nomination. But Tester is sanguine about his decision to go public with accusations about Jackson’s workplace misconduct, poor prescription practices and drinking on the job.”

Burgess Everett, “‘Jon poked the bear’: Tester braces for Trump’s revenge,” Politico, April 26, 2018 6:04 pm