Robert Leon Wilkie Jr. (born August 2, 1962) is an American attorney, government official, and reserve military officer known for his extensive career in national security and Republican politics. He served as the 10th U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Trump from July 2018 to January 2021, following his role as Acting Secretary from March to May 2018. He previously served as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (2017-2018).

Early Life and Family

Born in Frankfurt, West Germany, to Lt. Col. Robert Leon Wilkie Sr., a career U.S. Army artillery officer. Spent youth at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; attended Salisbury Cathedral School in England and Reid Ross High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Married to Julia Wilkie (known since childhood) since 1990; children include Adam Wilkie and Megan Wilkie.

Education

• Wake Forest University: B.A. (Honors degree), circa 1985
• Loyola University New Orleans College of Law: J.D., 1988
• Georgetown University Law Center: LL.M. in international and comparative law
• United States Army War College: M.S.

Career

Congressional Staffer (1980s-1990s)

• Counsel to Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC)
• Legislative director for Representative David Funderburk (R-NC)
• Executive director, North Carolina Republican Party

Senate Leadership (1997-2003)

Counsel and advisor on international security to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott; led negotiations on post-9/11 military force authorization.

George W. Bush Administration (2003-2009)

• Special assistant to the President for national security affairs and senior director, National Security Council (2003-2005)
• Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs (2006-2009)

Private Sector and Advisory Roles (2010-2017)

• Vice president for strategic programs, CH2M Hill (2010-2015)
• Senior advisor to Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) (2015-2017)

Donald Trump Administration (2017-2021)

• Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (2017-2018)
• Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs (March-May 2018)
• Secretary of Veterans Affairs (July 2018-January 2021) Appointed to White House Coronavirus Task Force (2020).

Military Service

Served in U.S. Navy Reserve and U.S. Air Force Reserve (Colonel); holds Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

Controversies

Handling of Sexual Assault Allegation (2019-2020)

VA Inspector General report (December 2020) found Wilkie and senior staff attempted to discredit a U.S. Navy veteran and congressional aide who alleged sexual assault by a VA contractor at D.C. Medical Center. Fired Deputy Secretary James Byrne, who claimed dismissal for refusing to participate in smear campaign. Veterans groups and Nancy Pelosi called for resignation; Justice Department informed of possible criminal conduct (no charges filed). Wilkie denied wrongdoing.

Confederate Memorial Associations and Speeches

• 1995 speech at Jefferson Davis statue: Called him a "martyr to 'The Lost Cause'".
• 2009 speech to Sons of Confederate Veterans: Praised Robert E. Lee, called Confederate cause "honorable", criticized abolitionists.
• Former member of Sons of Confederate Veterans (through 2010); inaccurate disclosures during 2018 confirmation hearings.

Nazi Symbols on VA Grave Markers (2020)

Opposed immediate removal of headstones with swastikas, Iron Cross, and Hitler tributes for WWII German POWs, citing National Historic Preservation Act; markers removed later that year.

Social Media

• Archived X/Twitter: @SecWilkie
• Instagram: @secwilkie