President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as the top watchdog for Veterans Affairs on Wednesday defended her ability to be an unbiased investigator of the administration, despite her past political role with the department.

“I consider myself to be an impartial, independent aide to the department,” Cheryl Mason , currently a senior adviser to VA Secretary Doug Collins, told members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee during a confirmation hearing for the department’s inspector general role.

“I am loyal to the veterans. That’s who I serve. That’s who I’m loyal to. I work for the president and the [VA] secretary, but also, if confirmed, I will work for this committee.”

Democratic lawmakers challenged that assertion, questioning whether Mason can be an effective check on problemati

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