Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie has fired Deputy VA Secretary James Byrne. Wilkie announced his decision Feb. 3, citing a “loss of confidence in Mr. Byrne’s ability to carry out his duties.”
Byrne had held the position for five months. A Naval Academy graduate and former Marine, Byrne came into the number two position at VA after having previously served as the department’s general counsel, and as a Justice Department lawyer. He also worked for Lockheed Martin Corp., as general counsel and chief privacy officer.
Wilkie’s announcement, which appeared on VA’s web site, made no mention of a successor.