Emmanuel OchayiPresident-elect Donald Trump has announced that Doug Collins will be the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Collins, a former Georgia congressman, is known for his role in defending Trump during high-profile investigations and his strong ties to conservative values.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA Minister with Military Service
Doug Collins has a unique blend of experiences as a Baptist minister and a military officer. Before entering politics, Collins served as a U.S. Navy chaplain for two years and later joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a chaplain after the 9/11 attacks. He was deployed to Iraq’s Balad Air Force Base for five months in 2008. Collins remains a colonel in the Air Force Reserve, highlighting his long-standing commitment to service.
Legal Expertise and Political Career
After his time as a minister, Collins pursued a career in law. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2007, where he served three terms.
During this time, he played a significant role in sustaining Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship program, ensuring funding for students’ college tuition. Collins later won a congressional seat in 2012, representing Georgia’s 9th District, one of the most conservative areas in the U.S.
Role in Defending Trump During Investigations
Doug Collins rose to national prominence during the investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 election. As the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, Collins became one of Trump’s most visible defenders. He also wrote a book, “The Clock and the Calendar,” discussing Trump’s first impeachment, arguing that Democrats aimed to undermine Trump’s presidency.
READ ALSO: What To Know About Elise Stefanik, Trump’s Pick For U.N Ambassador
“From the very moment that the majority party in this House won, the inevitability that we would be here today was only a matter of what date they would schedule it,” Collins declared on the House floor during the impeachment debate in 2019.
Contention Over Georgia Senate Seat
In 2019, Trump supported Doug Collins for a vacant U.S. Senate seat after Senator Johnny Isakson’s resignation. However, Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp appointed Kelly Loeffler instead.
Despite this, Collins decided to run for the Senate, finishing third in the 2020 special election. His defeat did not stop him from maintaining a strong presence in Georgia’s political scene, as he became a prominent supporter of Trump’s 2020 election challenges in the state.
Political Future for Doug Collins
Although Collins chose not to run for the Senate or challenge Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp in 2022, he hinted at a possible return to politics. “This is goodbye for now, but probably not forever,” Collins said at the time. His involvement in Trump’s America First Policy Institute and appearances at campaign rallies signal his ongoing influence in conservative political circles.
With his new role as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Collins is unlikely to run for office in 2026, but his experience in military service, law, and politics positions him as a key player in the Trump administration’s efforts to reform the Veterans Affairs Department. Observers will be watching closely to see how his leadership impacts healthcare services for U.S. veterans.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
