Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert Wilkie has been sworn in as the next secretary of Veterans Affairs.
President Donald Trump said Monday during an Oval Office ceremony that Wilkie will work day and night "to protect those who protect us."
He also told Wilkie that hundreds of thousands of people are counting on him.
The former Pentagon official was selected to replace Secretary David Shulkin, who was fired amid ethics charges and internal rebellion at the department over the role of private care for veterans.
Wilkie was confirmed by an 86-9 vote in the Senate last week. He secured the backing of many Democrats after insisting he would not privatize the government's second-largest department.
Wilkie says he is "humbled" by his selection.
Vice President Mike Pence administered Wilkie's oath of office.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
