President-elect Donald Trump has selected Doug Collins, a former Republican congressman from Georgia, to lead the Veterans Affairs Department in his upcoming administration. Collins, who is 58 years old, brings a unique background to the role, notably as both a Baptist minister and a military veteran. He has served in the U.S. Navy and the Air Force Reserve and holds a master’s degree in divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His commitment to serving others is evident from his 11 years of pastoring at a church and his service as a U.S. Navy chaplain during the late 1980s. After the September 11 attacks, Collins continued his military service by joining the U.S. Air Force Reserve and completing a five-month deployment to Iraq in 2008, where he was promoted to colonel.
Collins’s political journey began in the Georgia state House, where he was elected in 2007 and served for six years. During his time there, he held significant roles, including that of floor leader for Governor Nathan Deal. His efforts included negotiating critical budget cuts to sustain the HOPE Scholarship program, which provides lottery-funded college scholarships for eligible Georgia students. In 2012, he transitioned to the U.S. Congress by winning a seat in northeast Georgia’s 9th Congressional District, which is known for its strong Republican leanings. Despite facing intra-party challenges from conservatives during his tenure, Collins climbed the ranks of GOP leadership, eventually becoming the vice chair of the House Republican Conference.
Gaining prominence on a national scale, Collins made headlines for his staunch defense of President Trump during the Mueller probe, which investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election. Serving as the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, he passionately advocated for Trump and authored a book titled “The Clock and the Calendar,” which argued against the legitimacy of Trump’s impeachment. Collins’s rhetoric in support of Trump was intense, capturing media attention when he asserted the inevitability of the impeachment process after the Democratic majority took control of the House in 2019.
Despite his strong ties to Trump, Collins’s political path took unexpected turns, particularly regarding a U.S. Senate appointment in 2019. Trump expressed frustration that Collins was not chosen to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Johnny Isakson’s resignation due to health issues. Governor Brian Kemp appointed Kelly Loeffler instead, leading Collins to subsequently run for Senate in the 2020 special election, where he finished in third place. The election saw Loeffler lose to Democrat Raphael Warnock in the runoff election, with Warnock later securing a full term in 2022 against another Trump-endorsed candidate, Herschel Walker.
While Collins opted not to embark on a new political campaign in the 2022 elections, he hinted at a potential future return to politics, stating “this is goodbye for now, but probably not forever.” His continued involvement with Trump’s agenda is evident as he took on the role of Georgia chair for the America First Policy Institute and participated in Trump’s rallies during the 2024 campaign. Being appointed as Secretary of Veterans Affairs might impact his political aspirations, particularly concerning the 2026 reelection campaign of Georgia’s Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.
Overall, Collins’s appointment is seen as a continuation of the close ties between Trump’s administration and his loyal allies, particularly as he looks to navigate the complexities of veterans’ health care and services in his new role. The Veterans Affairs Department has faced significant challenges in the past, and Collins’s experience as a veteran himself may offer a unique perspective in addressing the needs of those who have served in the armed forces. His background in both ministry and law could provide him with the necessary skills to lead an agency dedicated to the welfare of veterans and their families. As he embarks on this new chapter, Collins represents a blend of strong ideological commitment, military service, and practical experience that will shape his leadership of the Veterans Affairs Department in the upcoming administration.