Trump Cabinet Shakeup: Will Rick Perry Move From Energy to Veterans Affairs?

WASHINGTON -- With the capital reeling from the abrupt firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, speculation swirled Tuesday night that President Donald Trump may continue the shake up by firing his veterans secretary and moving Rick Perry to that troubled department. Texas's longest serving governor is a former Air Force pilot, and the VA post was among the slots Trump eyed for him before picking him for the Energy Department -- one of three that Perry had vowed to abolish during his 2012 presidential run. Trump had lunch on Monday with Perry, and gushed about him at an East Room event honoring the World Series winning Houston Astros."Thank you to the Energy Secretary, Rick Perry. We love Rick, right? Did I do the right job with Rick?" the president said to applause. "I think we did the right job."By Tuesday evening, multiple news outlets reported that Trump is considering firing VA secretary David Shulkin, and replacing him with Perry. Trump raised the idea with Perry on Monday, according to a number of news outlets that cited unidentified White House officials, but has not offered him the job so far. The White House didn't comment on the rumors.Shulkin is the only Obama administration holdover in the Trump cabinet. He has been under fire for ethical missteps. Trump has reportedly grown impatient with his handling of the perennially troubled department. And he and Trump have clashed over potential privatization of veterans health care.According to AP, he "has been holding on to his job by a thread since a bruising internal report" released last month that found ethics violations in connection with a July Trip to Denmark and England with his wife.The department's inspector general is looking into a complaint that a member of his security detail was asked to go on a shopping trip to Home Depot with Shulkin and carry furniture items into his home.  Continue reading...