Meet Ronny Jackson, who treated Donald Trump after his assassination attempt: the Texas congressman was personal physician to Trump and Barack Obama, but why was he investigated by the military?

So just who is this doctor that both former presidents Trump and Obama have trusted with their lives?

Ronny Jackson served in the US Army

According to a report by the US Department of Defense, Jackson began active duty in the naval service when he graduated from medical school in 1995. The document also notes that, after graduating from the Undersea Medical Officer Program in 1996, Jackson took up multiple operational assignments. In 2005, he was deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom as an emergency medicine physician for a combat surgical shock trauma platoon.

Why was Ronny Jackson criticised over his comments about Donald Trump’s health?

Jackson was criticised for his unusually optimistic comments about the health of then US president Donald Trump. Per The Guardian, Trump is known to avoid exercise and to enjoy eating McDonald’s and drinking Diet Coke. But in a 2018 White House briefing about the president’s annual physical exam, Jackson told reporters that Trump’s health was “excellent”, adding that the president only required around four or five hours of sleep a night.

“The president’s overall health is excellent. He had great findings across the board, but his cardiac health stood out,” Jackson explained. “Hands down he is in the excellent range … He continues to enjoy the significant long-term cardiac and overall health benefits that come from a lifetime of abstinence from tobacco and alcohol.”

However, Jackson acknowledged that Trump’s exercise routine – or lack thereof – should change: “I would say right now, on a day-to-day basis, he doesn’t have a dedicated, defined exercise programme, so that is what I’m working on.”

His alcohol and drug controversies

In 2019, Jackson was the subject of an investigation by the Defense Department’s Inspector General focusing on multiple allegations of being under the influence of alcohol while on the job as well as mishandling prescription drugs, per CNN.

Jackson also retired from the navy during the investigation, which CNN reported was an unusual move as military officials under investigation typically cannot retire until the process is complete. Before his retirement, the navy also demoted him from admiral to captain.

He retired from military service and became a politician

His recent medical treatment of the former president has raised questions

After the assassination attempt on Trump, Jackson told The New York Times, “I have a really close relationship with [Trump],” adding that he felt “helpless” being so far from him. After rushing to his side the night of the attack, Jackson treated Trump’s wound daily.

But the medical care has caused some concern. The Daily Beast reported that an activist group, the American Muckrakers PAC, questioned whether Jackson was licensed to practice medicine in New Jersey, Michigan, Wisconsin and Virginia. TMZ also noted that Jackson’s Virginia medical license expired in 2020 and that in Florida, he can only provide medical care at military facilities.