President Donald Trump's special adviser on the coronavirus pandemic and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Dr. Scott Atlas, formally resigned from his post Monday, CBS News reported.
Dr. 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.
Earlier this month, Stanford University's Faculty Senate passed a resolution citing Dr. Atlas, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, for six separate instances he has promoted a view of COVID-19 contradicting science. The school spoke out on Twitter after Dr. Atlas found himself under fire for comments made on social media in connection with new COVID-19 orders in Michigan.
Member of the White House's coronavirus task force Dr. Scott Atlas attends a news conference hosted by President Trump in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on September 16, 2020 in Washington, DC.Alex Wong/Getty Images
In regards to the criticism he received, Dr. 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."
Dr. Atlas joined the Trump administration in August, and was considered a Special Government Employee, serving a 130-day detail.
His role was set to expire this week.
In his resignation letter, obtained by Fox News, Dr. 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."
Honored to have served @realDonaldTrump and the American people during these difficult times. pic.twitter.com/xT1hRoYBMh
— Scott W. Atlas (@ScottWAtlas) December 1, 2020
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."
