Dr. Scott Atlas, Special Coronavirus Adviser To Trump Resigns

A controversial coronavirus adviser to the president, Dr. Scott Atlas, resigned Monday, a White House official told NPR.

Atlas, who is not an infectious disease expert and whose brief stint was marred by blunders and controversy, was tapped by the Trump administration to serve as special adviser to the president of the United States, in August. Since then, "the MRI guy" has repeatedly been at odds with the nation's leading health officials regarding his views on how to combat the spread of the virus, including members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

But throughout his tenure, he has insisted all of the guidance he's offered was based on scientific research.

"I worked hard with a singular focus—to save lives and help Americans through this pandemic," Atlas wrote in a resignation letter posted to Twitter.

He added that he "always relied on the latest science and evidence, without any political consideration or influence."