Trump repeatedly said the choice to withdraw was Navy Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson’s, but he also questioned why he would want to go forward and take the "abuse" from politicians.

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“It’s totally his decision, he’ll be making a decision,” Trump said when asked about the nomination of Jackson, who is the White House physician to the president.

The president said he told Jackson “this is a vicious group of people that malign. What do you need this for? … You’re too fine a person.” It is difficult to see how Jackson will remain as the nominee after Trump, who acted alone to pick him for the job, effectively told him he would be better off if he stepped aside. "If I were him, I wouldn't do it,” Trump said.

Jackson’s confirmation hearing was postponed amid allegations of misconduct during his tenure as the top physician at the White House.

CBS News reported that staffers on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee are looking into charges against Jackson of creating a "hostile work environment," including "excessive drinking on the job [and] improperly dispensing meds.”

Jackson is on Capitol Hill meeting with members and expressed disappointment in a hallway interview with MSNBC about the postponement of the hearing, saying he had been looking forward to it. But he did not comment on the allegations swirling around him.