Trump ally Scott Atlas resigns as special adviser on coronavirus

Author: CBS News
Published: Updated:
Dr. Scott Atlas is seen October 12, 2020. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES via CBS News.

Scott Atlas, the controversial doctor who advised the president and fought against lockdowns, resigned from his post as special adviser to President Trump on Monday. The White House confirmed Atlas has resigned, but would not give a reason why.

Fox News first reported Atlas’ departure. Atlas, who is not an immunologist, has made comments at times that appeared to be at odds with public health experts, including experts on the president’s own Coronavirus Task Force. He’s also drawn scrutiny for, among other things, encouraging Michigan’s residents to “rise up” after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced more restrictions on schools and businesses.

Atlas recognized his disagreements with top public health experts in his resignation letter to President Trump, saying his “advice was always focused on minimizing all the harms from both the pandemic and the structural policies themselves, especially to the working class and poor.”

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.