The broadcast networks cut in with special coverage of President Obama’s statement on the Department of Veterans Affairs scandal that left dozens of veterans in Phoenix dead waiting for medical care.
ABC News broke in at 10:57amET with George Stephanopoulos anchoring in New York and ABC Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl reporting from the White House.
CBS News broke in at 10:57amET with “CBS This Morning’s” Charlie Rose and Norah O’Donnell anchoring from New York, and Chief White House correspondent Major Garrett reporting from the White House. NBC News also broke in at 10:57amET with Matt Lauer anchoring from New York and National Correspondent Peter Alexander reporting from the White House.
The president did not announce any firings, announcing Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki is leading an investigation into misconduct at VA facilities in Phoenix and elsewhere. The president vowed that anyone deemed responsible of “cooking the books” at VA facilities will be held accountable, and announced certain employees at VA facilities have been put on administrative leave.
The president took two questions. The first went to the Associated Press’s Jim Kuhnhenn; the second to Reuters’ Steve Holland.