Rep. Ronny Jackson treats Trump without a MEDICAL license
Megan Engle | July 30, 2024
Representative Ronny Jackson (R-TX) took on a leading role in this summer’s most unexpected medical drama, acting as former president Trump’s personal doctor following the attempted assassination. Now, the former White House physician is accused of practicing medicine without a license, an offense that can carry fines and jail time.
On the evening of July 13th, Jackson was packing for the Republican National Convention when his wife yelled from the other room that Trump had been shot. A faithful follower of his former boss and patient, he was already watching the rally pulled on his iPad but was a few minutes behind. He fast-forwarded the stream and watched it all in shock, from over a thousand miles away.
“I had an overwhelming sense of helplessness—more than I’ve ever felt in my life—being here in Texas when that happened,” Jackson said on The Joe Pags Show. “I immediately called and told them I’m on my way… I got on the first plane out.”
Around 4:00 a.m., Jackson made it to Trump’s side in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Trump, frustrated that the bandage he got at the hospital was bulky and pulled his hair, asked Jackson to rebandage his ear.
“So I dumped my bag out on the table right there, you know, in his room. [Like] arts and crafts, I started cutting the bandages, taping the edges, and folding it over,” Jackson recounted. “I did what I could.”
For the next nine days, Jackson stayed with Trump, evaluating and treating his wound daily. The pair traveled together from New Jersey to Wisconsin for the RNC and then to Michigan to continue campaigning.
At this point, most of the public information available about Trump’s injury and treatment has come from Jackson. As he traveled with the Republican nominee, he made media appearances to describe the shooting and provide updates on Trump’s condition. According to a letter written by Jackson and released by the Trump campaign, the former president sustained a 2-centimeter wound to the tissue surrounding the cartilage on his right ear. But, the cartilage and the “architecture of the ear” were not damaged.
“All of the skin and fat that’s naturally over the top of the ear was gone. It scooped out in the perfect shape of a bullet,” Jackson shared on Mark Alford’s America. “The entire top of his ear was completely swollen. It looked like the cauliflower ear of a wrestler initially.”
The representative’s return to medicine has not gone unnoticed.
On July 21st, the American Muckraking PAC, a liberal watchdog group, called for medical licensing authorities in New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Michigan to investigate Jackson for practicing medicine without a license and to prosecute him to the full extent of the law for his “illegal medical activit[ies].” If charged and convicted in all three states, he could face up to 10 years in prison and $30,000 in fines.
While he still uses the title “Doctor,” Jackson hasn't held a valid medical license in over three years. His Florida military medical license became invalid when he retired from the Navy in 2019, and his Virginia medical license expired in 2020. He is board-certified in emergency medicine through 2025, but a board certification does not authorize someone without a medical license to practice.
Both the Trump campaign and Jackson’s office have declined to comment on the license issue. However, Jackson did briefly touch on the topic in a recent interview.
“I’m a full-time member of Congress now, so I don’t practice medicine,” Jackson said. “[After I] resigned from the White House [and] retired from the military in December 2019, I could no longer practice medicine in the state of Virginia [or with my] Florida license.”
The Congressman also made headlines last year after a heated exchange at a Texas rodeo. Jackson tried to help a fifteen-year-old girl who had a seizure. Under Texas law, it is generally legal and encouraged for bystanders to act in emergency situations until first responders arrive. But when paramedics arrived, Jackson refused to step aside.
“I’m an ER doctor. I’m a board-certified emergency medicine physician,” he shouted as a sheriff’s deputy and state trooper pulled him away from the girl.
Jackson, reportedly smelling of alcohol, hurled expletives and threats at the officers for half an hour, the incident report and body camera footage shows. While he was detained and handcuffed, Jackson was ultimately released at the scene.
After the incident, he apologized for his language but stood by his actions. On X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote, “If I had to do it again, I would still step up and act in a life-threatening situation. I will ALWAYS help someone in need. I WILL NOT apologize for that.
Jackson’s record as a licensed physician wasn’t quite spotless either.
After he was nominated for a Cabinet position in 2018, more than 20 White House staffers came forward to accuse him of professional misconduct. They claimed he was known as “the Candyman” because he prescribed Ambien, Provigil, and other drugs “like they were candy.” He was accused of excessive drinking, taking Ambien on the job, harassing female employees, and creating a hostile work environment.
Jackson ultimately withdrew himself from consideration for the position while denying the allegations and calling them politically motivated.
The following year, the Navy demoted Jackson following an investigation into his professional conduct.
Currently, none of the three state medical boards have responded to the call to investigate the Congressman.
In the meantime, Jackson says he “will continue to be available to assist President Trump and his personal physician in any way they see fit and will provide updates as necessary and with the permission of President Trump.”
