Dr. Brian Monahan has stepped down from his role as the attending physician to the U.S. Congress, according to Senate Majority Leader John Thune. The departure of the two-star Navy admiral follows misconduct allegations and a concurrent Pentagon watchdog investigation.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the allegations involve concerns over directives given to sailors working under Monahan's command regarding patient care. A newly released, heavily redacted report from the Defense Department's inspector general highlighted lax oversight within the Office of the Attending Physician (OAP). The watchdog identified a "gap in clinical quality management" and noted that certain prescription medications, such as pain relievers and sleep aids, lacked proper inventory tracking.
The inspector general warned that these monitoring failures created potential health and safety risks for OAP beneficiaries. Additionally, the Navy has initiated its own inquiry into the office.
Monahan had served as the Capitol's top doctor since 2009, overseeing medical care for members of Congress, congressional staff, Supreme Court justices, and Capitol visitors. The Office of the Attending Physician did not respond to requests for comment regarding the resignation or the ongoing inquiries.
