By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com (Photo by AP Photo/Al Behrman)

ALABAMA — Over the weekend, Tommy Tuberville, former Head Coach of the Auburn Tigers football team and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, criticized President Donald Trump for his lack of progress on veterans’ healthcare. 

The comments were made during a stop at the Shoals Republican Club, according to Yellowhammer News.

“I’m pissed off at Donald Trump that our vets can’t get health care,” said Tuberville. “And if I ever get to see him, I’m going to tell him that. You said you were going to fix it and it ain’t fixed.” 

Last year, President Trump signed a law changing the way that the Department of Veterans Affairs allows patients to seek outside care. However, there have been hurdles that caused the law to be enacted slowly. 

Tuberville, who is no stranger to speaking out on critical issues, continued, “That’s who we ought to be taking care of — these young men and women. I’ve had them come up to me and cry. ‘Coach, we can’t get health care. Nobody will take care of us.’ 22 vets every day – every day are committing suicide. We can’t take care of them. We won’t take care of them. We’re paying for illegals to come over here – everything they’re getting: cell phones, health care, everything they want. That’s Donald Trump’s fault. That’s his fault. He’s got to get it done. That’s one of the most important things I think we need to do because we send young men and women over to fight for us, put their life on the line and we don’t take care of them? What are we doing? What are we doing?”

“I’m a Donald Trump guy, but there are things that he hasn’t done yet that we got to get done. I think he’s had to fight every battle by himself,” he finished, “He can’t get to all of them because nobody is helping him. Nobody is standing up for him.” 

On Monday, Tuberville went on to clarify his statements via Twitter.

“My point is this: Donald Trump has done more for our Veterans and our military than any President we’ve ever had and he was dealt a big mess by Congress and Obama. We’re never going to improve healthcare for our veterans if we recycle the same ole tired politicians. We can all do better. And we must!”

According to the latest polling, Tuberville leads the Republican primary field for next year’s U.S. Senate. The primary election will be held on March 3, 2020.