WASHINGTON — In his first public message since taking office, acting VA Secretary Robert Wilkie promised to continue to build a customer-service focus for veterans programs and to tamp down agency infighting as the administration tries to stabilize the embattled department.

“Customer service must start with each other,” he said in a video released Wednesday morning. “Not talking at each other, but talking with each other across all office barriers and across all compartments. If we don’t listen to each other, we won’t be able to listen to veterans and their families.”

Wilkie, who was named to the top veterans post last week after the abrupt firing of former VA Secretary David Shulkin, had previously worked as undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

On Tuesday, officials from AMVETS and some Democratic lawmakers questioned President Donald Trump’s decision to place Wilkie in the acting post, saying the role should have gone to VA Deputy Secretary Tom Bowman instead. Bowman has been rumored to be fired or dismissed in coming days.

Critics say Wilkie’s appointment raises multiple legal questions that could undermine any decisions he makes while the administration awaits the confirmation of former White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson to take over the permanent VA secretary role.

In his video, Wilkie acknowledges that “I do not know how long I’ll be privileged to serve as the acting secretary” but promises to work to better the department during his time there. He also discusses his own military service and that of his family members, underscoring the important role VA plays in supporting all veterans.

Wilkie’s message of more collaboration and cooperation between federal departments comes after months of infighting between political appointees in the administration and Shulkin, who has attacked those critics for encouraging his firing to advance policies that will undermine VA funding and privatize some VA health care programs. White House officials have denied those charges.

The new acting secretary said in his message that the entire department workforce has a “solemn responsibility to veterans, not just today, but in the months and years to come, to set the standard for the millions coming into our VA and for the millions who will join the ranks down the years.”

“This is our important and nonnegotiable mission. The president and Congress support us, and I’m honored to help lead this organization.”

Jackson, who’s nomination to the top VA job came as a surprise to most veterans groups, is expected to face confirmation hearings at the end of April or beginning of May.

Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.

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