President Trump’s recent trip to Walter Reed Medical Center was not without controversy, and the confusion surrounding the Commander in Chief’s COVID-19 diagnosis has spawned new questions about his surprise visit to the prestigious hospital last year.

During Trump’s brief stay at Walter Reed last week, doctors caring for the President were reticent to reveal too much about his condition.  When asked about his last negative COVID test, they deflected.  When asked about when or if President Trump was using supplemental oxygen, they deflected.

Of course, there are national security concerns to consider here, making some of these non-answers at least expected, even if they aren’t wholly accepted.

But now that the President is back at the White House, doctors who were initially involved in Trump’s surprise visit to Walter Reed last year are telling a strange story. 

President Donald Trump required personnel at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to sign nondisclosure agreements last year before they could be involved with treating him, according to four people familiar with the process.

During a surprise trip to Walter Reed on Nov. 16, 2019, Trump mandated signed NDAs from both physicians and nonmedical staff, most of whom are active-duty military service members, these people said. At least two doctors at Walter Reed who refused to sign the NDAs were subsequently not permitted to have any involvement in the president’s care, two of the people said.

The reason for his trip last year remains shrouded in mystery.

The four people familiar with the process did not know whether, during the president’s most recent visit over the weekend, he had the same requirement for Walter Reed staff members who had not previously been involved in his care.

President Trump insisted that this visit was just a part of a regular, routine physical that takes place every year, but that explanation has been questioned by many on both sides of the aisle.

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