Dr. Scott Atlas, the controversial COVID adviser to Donald Trump resigned from the White House COVID-19 task force on Monday, Fox News and CNN reported.
Atlas’ tenure was set to expire this week, after he was hired in August as a Special Government Employee (SGE), meaning his role in the task force was temporary and would not exceed 130 days, according to Fox.
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“I am writing to resign from my position as Special Advisor to the President of the United States,” Atlas said, thanking him for “the honor and privilege to serve on behalf of the American people.”
“I worked hard with a singular focus—to save lives and help Americans through this pandemic,” Atlas wrote, adding that he “always relied on the latest science and evidence, without any political consideration or influence.”
Atlas’ controversial advice — including his push against states’ lockdowns and mask mandates — led to strong push back from critics, including top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci and CDC director Robert Redfield who made it known publicly that they do not share Atlas’ beliefs.
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While the nation’s top public health officials did not share his views, that didn’t stop Dr. Atlas from spreading them anywhere he could including on Russian State media.
