NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- President Trump's special adviser on coronavirus and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Dr. Scott Atlas, formally resigned from his post on Monday, Fox News reported.
Atlas has been controversial because, in part, he called for reopenings, and said that lockdowns are "extremely harmful" to Americans. He was often at odds with Dr. Anthony Fauci.
In regards to the criticism he received, Atlas said, "although some may disagree with those recommendations, it is the free exchange of ideas that lead to scientific truths, which are the very foundation of a civilized society."
Atlas joined the Trump administration in August, and was considered a Special Government Employee, serving a 130-day detail. His role is set to expire this week.
In his resignation letter, obtained by Fox News, Atlas wrote, "I worked hard with a singular focus—to save lives and help Americans through this pandemic ... I always relied on the latest science and evidence, without any political consideration or influence."
He added, "As time went on, like all scientists and health policy scholars, I learned new information and synthesized the latest data from around the world, all in an effort to provide you with the best information to serve the greater public good."
He continued, "But, perhaps more than anything, my advice was always focused on minimizing all the harms from both the pandemic and the structural policies themselves, especially to the working class and the poor."
