Ronny Jackson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ronny Jackson
Official portrait, 2021
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 13th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Mac Thornberry
1st Chief Medical Advisor to the President
In office February 2, 2019 – December 1, 2019
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Anthony Fauci
Physician to the President
In office July 25, 2013 – March 28, 2018
President	Barack Obama Donald Trump
Preceded by	Jeffrey Kuhlman
Succeeded by	Sean Conley
Personal details
Born	Ronny Lynn Jackson (1967-05-04) May 4, 1967 (age 58) Levelland, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Jane Ely
Children	3
Education	South Plains College (AS) Texas A&M University, Galveston (BS) University of Texas Medical Branch (MD)
Website
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1995–2019
Rank	Captain
Unit	Medical Corps
Battles/wars	Iraq War
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4)

Ronny Lynn Jackson (born May 4, 1967) is an American doctor and politician. He is a former United States Navy officer who has served as a U.S. representative for Texas's 13th congressional district since 2021. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Jackson joined the White House Medical Unit in the mid-2000s. He served as the official Physician to the President for both Barack Obama and Donald Trump from 2013 to 2018.

In 2018, President Trump nominated Jackson to become the U.S. secretary of veterans affairs. However, Jackson withdrew his name after some people raised questions about his past actions in the White House. In 2019, Trump appointed Jackson to a new role as Chief Medical Advisor to the President.

Jackson retired from the Navy in 2019. In 2021, a report from the Department of Defense stated that Jackson had not behaved as expected for a leader. The next year, the Navy changed his rank from rear admiral to captain.

Early Life and Schooling

Ronny Jackson was born in Levelland, Texas, to his parents, Waymon and Norma Jackson. Growing up, he enjoyed activities like swimming and jet skiing.

He earned a degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston in 1991. He then went to medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch and became a medical doctor in 1995.

Career in the Military

Then-Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson while serving as physician to the President, in October 2016

Jackson leaves Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with President Barack Obama in 2015.

After finishing medical school in 1995, Jackson became an officer in the U.S. Navy. He had several jobs, including serving as a diving medical officer. In 2005, he was sent to Iraq, where he worked as an emergency medicine doctor.

In 2006, Jackson began working as a doctor in the White House Medical Unit. He worked for three different presidents. In 2013, he was given the official title of Physician to the President.

When Donald Trump became president in 2016, he asked Jackson to stay on as his doctor. Jackson became well-known after a press conference where he spoke very positively about President Trump's health.

In 2018, President Trump nominated Jackson to become the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This person is in charge of providing services to military veterans. However, some senators had concerns because Jackson did not have a lot of experience managing large organizations. His nomination was withdrawn after questions were raised about his conduct while working at the White House. Jackson said the claims were not true.

Jackson retired from the Navy on December 1, 2019. In 2022, the Navy demoted him from the rank of rear admiral to captain. This decision was based on a 2021 investigation by the Department of Defense that found his leadership style did not meet Navy standards.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

In 2019, Jackson decided to run for Congress in Texas's 13th congressional district. The person holding the seat, Mac Thornberry, was retiring. Jackson won the Republican primary election and then won the general election in November 2020 with nearly 80% of the vote.

During his campaign, Jackson showed strong support for President Trump. He also stated his opposition to government rules requiring people to wear face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said wearing a mask should be a personal choice.

Time in Office

On January 6, 2021, Jackson was present at the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, D.C. Later that day, he was inside the U.S. Capitol building during the attack on the Capitol. When Congress met to certify the 2020 election results, Jackson voted against accepting the results from Arizona and Pennsylvania.

In May 2021, Jackson voted against creating a special commission to investigate the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Jackson, along with all other Republicans in the House and Senate, voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This was a bill aimed at providing economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also voted against a law to make Juneteenth (June 19) a federal holiday.

In 2022, the Office of Congressional Ethics said there was reason to believe Jackson had used campaign money for personal expenses. Jackson did not cooperate with the investigation. In December 2024, the House Ethics Committee cleared him, stating there was no evidence he intentionally misused funds.

Jackson voted against the PACT Act in 2022. This law expanded health benefits for military veterans who were exposed to toxic materials during their service.

Personal Life

Jackson is married to his wife, Jane, and they have three children.

In July 2024, Jackson said that his nephew was injured during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. He stated that a bullet grazed his nephew's neck.

Awards and Decorations

Jackson has received many awards and decorations for his military service. These include the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.

See also

• Unsuccessful nominations to the Cabinet of the United States