Darin Selnick
Role: Contributor
Position: Senior Advisor, Selnick Consulting
Background:
Darin Selnick is a seasoned veteran affairs expert and consultant with a long history of involvement in veterans’ healthcare policy. He is a Senior Advisor to Concerned Veterans for America and has served in various key roles within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including as a Senior Advisor on the White House Domestic Policy Council under President Donald Trump. Selnick played a pivotal role in crafting and implementing the VA MISSION Act, one of the most significant overhauls of the VA healthcare system in over two decades.
Selnick’s career includes extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, where he has been influential in advocating for increased healthcare options for veterans, often pushing for the expansion of private healthcare options outside the VA system. He is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and is deeply involved in veteran advocacy, serving on various boards and organizations related to veteran affairs.
Relation to Trump:
During the Trump administration, Selnick was a prominent figure in shaping veterans’ healthcare policy, particularly through his work on the VA MISSION Act. His alignment with Trump’s agenda, particularly his push for privatization within the VA, earned him both praise and criticism. His role put him at the center of debates over the future of veterans’ healthcare, reflecting the administration’s broader objectives.
Scandals or Controversies:
Selnick has been a controversial figure, particularly due to his advocacy for privatizing parts of the VA healthcare system. His close ties to conservative groups and figures, as well as his involvement in a questionable commuting arrangement that may have violated federal regulations, have drawn scrutiny. Critics argue that his efforts to expand private care options for veterans could undermine the VA system and lead to the privatization of critical services.