Washington (CNN) Embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin said Wednesday that he has put disputes within his agency and with Trump administration appointees behind him -- and the White House signaled that Shulkin still has his backing.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said that Shulkin has done a "great job" and has taken an "aggressive approach" as directed by President Donald Trump since being named as the agency's head.

Sanders was asked about the release earlier Wednesday of a damning inspector general report about issues at the Washington DC VA medical center that the inspector general, Michael Missal, attributed to "failed leadership" and systemic issues.

"We're going to do everything we can to protect the veterans and help veterans in this country," she said.

At a news conference earlier Wednesday, Shulkin addressed both the reports of turmoil within the agency and the inspector general's findings.

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