VA Secretary Criticizes Reporter Over 'Rumor-Driven' Article on Agency Operations

Doug Collins confronts journalist Patricia Kime, claiming her reporting on unconfirmed claims about the VA and DOGE caused unnecessary fear among employees and veterans.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins publicly challenged Military.com reporter Patricia Kime over her February article referencing unconfirmed rumors about DOGE representatives accessing VA systems.
Collins emphasized that the VA employs a single DOGE liaison to improve operations and denied claims of unauthorized data access or interference.
The secretary criticized Kime's use of the term 'rumors' in her reporting, arguing it created fear among VA employees and veterans, and requested a commitment to avoid such language in the future.
Media advocates and colleagues defended Kime, calling Collins' approach 'pathetic' and 'laughable,' while others pointed to broader concerns about VA staffing cuts and operational challenges.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by White House adviser Elon Musk, has been tasked with identifying government inefficiencies, sparking scrutiny and controversy in Washington.