Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Zorro

(18,896 posts)
Thu May 21, 2026, 03:14 PM 4 hrs ago

Trump Hires $324K Doctor Caught in Drug, Booze, Sex, and Gun Scandal

The Trump administration has rehired a Department of Homeland Security doctor on a $324,000 salary despite an ongoing sexual harassment probe and gun, drug, and alcohol violations, a three-month PunchUp investigation has uncovered.

Dr. Alexander Eastman, 51, was removed as acting chief medical officer for Customs and Border Protection in December 2024 after whistleblower complaints triggered an internal CBP investigation. He admitted to investigators that he had been drinking beer in a bar while carrying his work firearm, and was found to have “improperly” tried to procure narcotics through his job.

Yet last October, he was quietly slipped back into his old post at DHS’s Office of Health Security, as PunchUp, the Daily Beast’s sister investigations Substack, first revealed on Wednesday. Eastman’s lawyer, Dan Schwager, told PunchUp and the Daily Beast that “the majority” of the allegations were “determined to be unfounded or unsubstantiated, and only two minor policy violations were found.”

PunchUp notes the rehiring is a fresh personnel headache for Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, 48, whom Trump installed in March after firing Kristi Noem, 54.

Eastman’s pay packet alone makes him an outlier. RealClearInvestigations reported he banked $323,933 in 2024—roughly $78,000 more than Mullin earns running the entire department. He is the only DHS employee ever to clear $300,000, putting him among the top 1 percent of federal workers.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/doanld-trump-hires-doctor-caught-in-drug-booze-sex-and-gun-scandal/

1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump Hires $324K Doctor Caught in Drug, Booze, Sex, and Gun Scandal (Original Post) Zorro 4 hrs ago OP
Sounds to me like he's someone who will be making a claim to some of the Trump slush fund. Vinca 3 hrs ago #1

Vinca

(54,343 posts)
1. Sounds to me like he's someone who will be making a claim to some of the Trump slush fund.
Thu May 21, 2026, 03:50 PM
3 hrs ago

After all, to Trump $324,000 is a rounding error and there is no such thing as sexual harassment.

Kick in to the DU tip jar?

This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.

As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.

Tell me more...

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Trump Hires $324K Doctor ...