Congress attending physician resigns amid Pentagon probe into drug handling

Rear Adm. Brian Monahan stepped down as attending physician for the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court amid Pentagon probes into misconduct and lax drug management. Monahan confirmed his departure from the Office of Attending Physician on November 11, 2026. A Defense Department Inspector General report cited a lack of clinical oversight and missing pharmacy inventories that concealed shortages of controlled substances. Officials also reported allegations that Monahan dispensed unprescribed drugs.

Monahan steps down as attending physician

• ▪Rear Adm. Brian Monahan stepped down as the attending physician for the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court amid military investigations, ending his tenure that began in 2009
• ▪Rear Adm. Brian Monahan confirmed his departure from the Office of Attending Physician in a voicemail message recorded on November 11, 2026

Allegations against Monahan and Office staff

• ▪U.S. officials stated Rear Adm. Brian Monahan faced allegations of managing a toxic work environment and dispensing medications to lawmakers and their staff without required prescriptions
• ▪Navy medical personnel assigned to the Office of Attending Physician reported working 70 to 80 hours per week and performing unwanted tasks such as cutting a congressman's toenails, according to Navy Times

Inspector General findings on pharmacy and oversight

• ▪A Defense Department Inspector General report into Rear Adm. Brian Monahan's office concluded that the Office of Attending Physician failed to conduct legally mandated regular inspections and inventories of its pharmacy
• ▪A Defense Department Inspector General report published in November 2026 found that Navy personnel at the Office of Attending Physician operated without required clinical quality management oversight
• ▪A February 2026 inspection at the Office of Attending Physician pharmacy revealed shortages of sleep aid medication relative to inventory records and discrepancies in controlled substance quantities
• ▪A Defense Department Inspector General report into Rear Adm. Brian Monahan's office stated that a lack of oversight left Navy personnel at the Office of Attending Physician facing unclear guidance and pressure to deviate from medical requirements