(CNN) Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson has withdrawn as President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, he said in a statement Thursday morning. In a statement announcing his withdrawal, Jackson slammed allegations of improper behavior leveled against him as "completely false and fabricated." Sanders suggested that Jackson's current position as the White House physician meant that he had been more thoroughly vetted than other Cabinet nominees. JUST WATCHED White House: VA pick's record is impeccable Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH White House: VA pick's record is impeccable 01:37More upheaval for Trump's CabinetTrump had defended Jackson even after the allegations against him surfaced. He was chosen to serve as White House physician in 2006 during the administration of George W. Bush, and later served as the physician for then-President Barack Obama.

Source: CNN April 26, 2018 11:59 UTC