President-elect Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate former United States Congressman Doug Collins of Georgia as the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Thursday, November 14th. Collins, a veteran himself, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2021 and currently holds the position of chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve.
In a statement, Trump emphasized Collins’s qualifications, citing his military experience and dedication to supporting veterans. “Doug is a Veteran himself, who serves our Nation as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command and fought for our Country in the Iraq War,” Trump said. “We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need.”
Collins’ nomination comes as part of Trump’s efforts to assemble a team of loyalists for his administration. Although Collins failed in his bid for the U.S. Senate in 2020, he has been a strong ally of the president, especially during the impeachment proceedings, where he defended Trump. Collins was also a vocal proponent of the contested election results in Georgia following Trump’s 2020 loss.
The Department of Veterans Affairs employs nearly 371,000 professionals nationwide and provides benefits, health care, and cemetery services to the country’s more than 9 million veterans. Collins has pledged to improve services within the department, stating, “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.”
As Collins awaits confirmation for his new role, the focus will shift to his efforts to address the challenges within the VA and his plans to support veterans. His leadership could play a key role in shaping the department’s priorities and its ability to meet the needs of those who have served the country.
