Ronny Jackson, a former physician to Donald Trump and current Representative from Texas (R-Texas), reportedly engaged in a heated confrontation with law enforcement officials after being arrested at a rodeo event.
According to The Dallas Morning News, an incident report from the sheriff’s office indicates that Jackson made threats towards a state trooper and a local sheriff during the incident, which took place last month in White Deer, Texas.
During the altercation on July 29, Jackson allegedly used profanity and threatened to physically harm the state trooper. The report also states that he vowed to “bury” the local sheriff in the next election after being handcuffed and pushed to the ground by deputies at the event.
While Jackson previously claimed that he was attempting to assist a teenager experiencing a seizure during the incident, the sheriff’s report contradicts this account. According to the report, Jackson was described as confrontational and uncooperative, repeatedly ignoring commands from law enforcement to step back and allow medical responders to attend to the teenager.
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Chief Deputy Sheriff JC Blackburn, as detailed in the report, had to physically restrain Jackson to prevent him from advancing towards the trooper. Even after being released from handcuffs, Jackson allegedly continued to use profane language and remained agitated.
Following the incident, Jackson reportedly expressed anger during a phone call with the sheriff, stating that the deputies exhibited poor judgment and demanding an investigation with consequences. He allegedly claimed that he would take drastic measures in the next election, suggesting that he would do everything in his power to defeat the sheriff in the election.
The incident adds to Jackson’s controversial history, including his nomination to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2018, which faced scrutiny due to allegations of inappropriate behavior and unprofessional conduct.
In 2018, Trump tapped Jackson to join the cabinet as VA secretary. As noted by the Dallas Morning News, senators from both parties balked. Within two months, the nomination crumbled amid concerns about his management experience and style and a flurry of allegations that he had over-prescribed painkillers and berated subordinates.
After retiring from the Navy in late 2019, Jackson turned his sights to a congressional seat that came open when longtime Rep. Mac Thornberry retired.
Jackson won a runoff with Trump’s help and coasted to victory in November with 79% of the vote. He ran unopposed in last year’s GOP primary and won his second term with 75% of the vote.
Jackson’s office has denied allegations of him being impaired during the rodeo incident and criticized the actions of the local authorities.
