Yet another official in the Trump administration resigned his post suddenly and unexpectedly today after just two years. In case anyone hasn’t caught on yet, this is not normal.
FDA Chief Dr. Scott Gottlieb announced that he would be resigning.
‘I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to help lead this wonderful agency, for the support of my colleagues, for the public health goals we advanced together, and the strong support [of Azar and Trump]. This has been a wonderful journey and parting is very hard.’
I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to help lead this wonderful agency, for the support of my colleagues, for the public health goals we advanced together, and the strong support of @SecAzar and @realDonaldTrump – This has been a wonderful journey and parting is very hard. https://t.co/1Zu9y7NTwR
— Scott Gottlieb, M.D. (@SGottliebFDA) March 5, 2019
Gottlieb focused on issues like teen vaping and opioid addiction. His announced reason for resigning was similar to so many other officials under the Trump administration who has quit suddenly: he wants to spend more time with his family.
‘Gottlieb, a physician and venture capitalist, was sworn in as FDA commissioner in May 2017. He previously served as the agency’s deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs.
FDA Commissioner Gottlieb — who's fought against the rising teen use of e-cigarettes — has resigned, President Trump says. https://t.co/YaeWlNlrlP
— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 5, 2019
Gottlieb was well-respected among FDA officials and his resignation came as a surprise. Health Secretary Alex Azar said:
‘Scott’s leadership inspired historic results from the FDA team, which delivered record approvals of both innovative treatments and affordable generic drugs, while advancing important policies to confront opioid addiction, tobacco and youth e-cigarette use, chronic disease, and more. The public health of our country is better off for the work Scott and the entire FDA team have done over the last two years.’
The commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Scott Gottlieb, announced today that he is resigning the position, effective in one month.
Gottlieb was widely viewed as an effective advocate of public health. https://t.co/irhax24Gf0
— NPR (@NPR) March 5, 2019
Just as Gen. Mattis got before he spoke out against some of Trump’s worst policies, Trump praised Gottlieb in a tweet. That will last as long as Gottlieb never dares to say anything against this thin-skinned president.
‘Scott Gottlieb, who has done an absolutely terrific job as Commissioner of the FDA, plans to leave government service sometime next month…Scott has helped us to lower drug prices, get a record number of generic drugs approved and onto the market, and so many other things. He and his talents will be greatly missed!’
Scott Gottlieb, who has done an absolutely terrific job as Commissioner of the FDA, plans to leave government service sometime next month….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2019
….Scott has helped us to lower drug prices, get a record number of generic drugs approved and onto the market, and so many other things. He and his talents will be greatly missed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2019
Featured image via Flickr by Gage Skidmore under a Creative Commons license
