Dr. Scott Atlas’ short tenure as Donald Trump’s special adviser on the coronavirus pandemic has come to an end. Atlas’s time at the White House was consumed by controversy as he often had opinions that differed greatly from others on the coronavirus task force.
Fox News broke the news that Atlas was leaving saying it had obtained his resignation letter which “touted the Trump administration’s work on the coronavirus pandemic, while wishing ‘all the best’ to the incoming Biden administration.”
“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.“
No word on why he resigned.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Atlas responded to a tweet about Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer halting in-person learning, indoor dining, and more saying, “The only way this stops is if people rise up. You get what you accept.” After many people pointed out that Atlas’ tweet could lead to violence, he responded saying “I NEVER was talking at all about violence. People vote, people peacefully protest. NEVER would I endorse or incite violence. NEVER!!”
Atlas was also widely criticized for comments he made when Donald Trump had coronavirus. He said he had “never seen anyone with more energy and more vigor, at any age.”