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, CBS News has confirmed. 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 was a senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution before he went on leave to join the White House, but Stanford University has since issued a statement saying Atlas “has expressed views that are inconsistent with the university’s approach in response to the pandemic.” Atlas joined the White House in August.
CBS News’ Paula Reid, Elizabeth Campbell and Kathryn Watson contributed to this post.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
