Robert Wilkie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Wilkie
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Official portrait, 2018
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| 10th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs | |
| In office July 30, 2018 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | James Byrne Pamela J. Powers (acting) |
| Preceded by | David Shulkin |
| Succeeded by | Denis McDonough |
| Acting March 28, 2018 – May 29, 2018 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Thomas G. Bowman |
| Preceded by | David Shulkin |
| Succeeded by | Peter O'Rourke (acting) |
| 8th Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness | |
| In office November 30, 2017 – July 30, 2018 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Jessica L. Wright |
| Succeeded by | Matthew Donovan |
| 25th Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs | |
| In office September 29, 2006 – January 19, 2009 Acting: January 31, 2006 – September 29, 2006 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Dan Stanley |
| Succeeded by | Elizabeth King |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Leon Wilkie Jr.
August 2, 1962 Frankfurt, West Germany |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Julia Wilkie |
| Education | Wake Forest University (BA) Loyola University New Orleans (JD) Georgetown University (LLM) United States Army War College (MS) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy Reserve United States Air Force Reserve |
| Rank |  Colonel |
Robert Leon Wilkie Jr. (born August 2, 1962) is an American lawyer and government official. He served as the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2018 to 2021. This was during the time Donald Trump was president. Before that, he was the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Wilkie has also served in the United States Navy Reserve and the United States Air Force Reserve.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Wilkie was born in Frankfurt, which was then West Germany. He went to school in England at Salisbury Cathedral School. Later, he attended Reid Ross High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His father was an Army officer, so Wilkie grew up near Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Wilkie earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts, from Wake Forest University. He then studied law and received a J.D. degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1988. He also earned an LL.M. degree in International and Comparative Law from Georgetown University Law Center.
Wilkie has served in the military reserves. He was in the United States Navy Reserve and is now a Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve.
Government Career
Working for Congress and President Bush
Robert Wilkie spent many years working for Republican members of Congress. He started as a legal advisor for Senator Jesse Helms. Later, he became a legislative director for Representative David Funderburk.
From 1997 to 2003, Wilkie was a top advisor to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. In this role, he helped with important discussions after the September 11 attacks.
From 2003 to 2005, Wilkie worked for President George W. Bush. He was a special assistant for national security. He advised important leaders like Condoleezza Rice. After that, he moved to the Pentagon, which is the headquarters for the U.S. military. In 2007, he became the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs. He helped create rules about which military personnel could speak to Congress.
Wilkie has received high honors for his public service. This includes the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
Private Sector and Return to Government
From 2010 to 2015, Wilkie worked for an engineering company called CH2M Hill. He helped with projects like improving Britain's military supply system.
From 2015 to 2017, he was a senior advisor to U.S. Senator Thom Tillis.
Serving in the Trump Administration
Wilkie was part of Donald Trump's team when Trump was preparing to become president. In 2017, President Trump nominated Wilkie to be the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The Senate approved him in November 2017.
In March 2018, President Trump announced that Wilkie would temporarily lead the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Later, President Trump officially nominated Wilkie for the role of Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Senate confirmed his nomination with a large vote of 86 to 9. He officially became Secretary on July 30, 2018.
In March 2020, Wilkie was also appointed to the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
VA Leadership Review
During his time as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Wilkie faced a review by the VA's Inspector General (IG). This review looked into how he handled certain situations. The IG's report was released in December 2020. It stated that Wilkie and his staff questioned a veteran's account. The report also mentioned that Wilkie refused follow-up interviews with investigators. The Justice Department looked into the matter but did not bring any charges against Wilkie. Wilkie denied any wrongdoing.
After the report came out, several large veterans' organizations asked President Trump to remove Wilkie from his position.
Historical Speeches
In the past, Robert Wilkie gave speeches about historical figures from the American Civil War. In a 1995 speech, he spoke about Jefferson Davis, who was the president of the Confederate States. In 2009, he spoke about Robert E. Lee to a group called the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He also made comments about abolitionists, who worked to end slavery. He called slavery "a stain on our story." Wilkie was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans for some time. In 2018, a Defense Department spokesperson said he no longer considered himself a member.
During his confirmation hearings for VA Secretary, senators asked Wilkie about these past speeches and his membership in the group.
Grave Markers at Cemeteries
In 2020, there was a discussion about three gravestones in two VA cemeteries. These gravestones marked the graves of German prisoners of war from World War II. They featured symbols like the Nazi swastika and the Iron Cross, along with tributes to Adolf Hitler.
A group asked the VA to remove these headstones. Wilkie first said no, explaining that removing them might erase history. He also mentioned that removing them would be a long process. However, after more pressure from Congress, Wilkie changed his decision. The VA quietly removed the grave markers in 2020.
Personal Life
Robert Wilkie is married to Julia Wilkie. They have known each other since they were children.
See also
In Spanish: Robert Wilkie para niños
