Shulkin told the New York Times that he was currently investigating some political appointees in the agency for misconduct and might have them removed, claiming they were “trying to undermine the department from within.”

“If there are people here who don’t want the VA to succeed, I want them out,” he told The Times.

Department officials told The Times that Shulkin had spoken with White House chief of staff John Kelly about his worries over the political appointees.