David Shulkin: “I would assure your constituents, your veterans that that is our focus, strengthen the VA, but at the same time make…”

I think the way the findings were used -- were used in a political way. Not by the inspector general, but by the political appointees within V.A.

The VISN model was put in place close to 20 years ago, a very innovative model that has served VA well.

I received a phone call saying that the President wanted to make a change, and that's certainly his prerogative to do that, and that's what happened.

I believe strongly, Anderson, that when it comes to V.A. and national security, we can't make this a political issue.