Scott Atlas, Trump ally, resigns as special advisor on coronavirus

Scott Atlas, the controversial doctor who advised the president and fought against lockdowns, resigned as special adviser to President Trump on Monday. The White House confirmed that Atlas had resigned, but would give no reason.

Fox News first reported the departure of Atlas. Atlas, who is not an immunologist, at times made comments that appeared to contradict public health experts, including experts on the President’s Coronavirus Task Force. He also drew attention for, among other things, encouraging Michigan residents to “stand up” after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced more restrictions on schools and businesses.

Atlas acknowledged his disagreements with top public health experts in his resignation To President Trump, saying that “his advice has always focused on minimizing all the harms of the pandemic and structural policies themselves, especially for the working class and the poor.”

“While some may disagree with these recommendations, it is the free exchange of ideas that leads to scientific truths, which are the very foundation of any civilized society. Indeed, I cannot think of a time when the Safeguarding science and scientific debate are more urgent, ”Atlas wrote.

He also appeared to nod at President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming team.

“I sincerely wish the new team all the best in guiding the nation through these difficult and polarized times,” Atlas wrote. “With the treatments and vaccines emerging, I remain very optimistic that America will prosper again and overcome the adversity of the pandemic and all that it has brought with it.”

Atlas was a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University before going on leave to join the White House, but Stanford University has since issued a statement saying that Atlas “has expressed views which are inconsistent with l approach to the university in response to the pandemic. ” Atlas joined the White House in August.

Paula Reid, Elizabeth Campbell and Kathryn Watson contributed to this report.