HHS Secretary Alex Azar submits letter of resignation, effective Wednesday
In the letter, Azar points to the events on January 6 as threatening to "tarnish" the Trump administration's legacy.
HHS Secretary Alex Azar leaves office Wednesday. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
In a Twitter post late Friday night, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar denied reports that he had resigned and cited the January 6 attack on the Capitol as the reason.
"Contrary to the @CNN chyron, I am still here serving the American people at HHS. I believe it is my duty to help ensure a smooth transition to President-elect Biden's team during the pandemic and will remain as Secretary through January 20," Azar tweeted, posting his resignation letter. "I handed in my letter this week along with every other political appointee, effective January 20 at noon."
In the letter, Azar outlined the accomplishments of HHS over the past year to transform the healthcare system and to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Unfortunately, the actions and rhetoric following the election, especially during this past week, threaten to tarnish these and other historic legacies of this Administration," Azar said in the letter, referencing the attacks on the Capitol on January 6.
Azar also laid out HHS's reaction to the pandemic Tuesday morning in a State of the Department address before the Heritage Foundation.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Trump and the Senate is expected to soon go to trial on charges that he incited an insurrection against the government.
Trump leaves office tomorrow ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration at noon.
His administration has received criticism for not doing enough to stem the spread of COVID-19 in this country and to get vaccines distributed.
The number of people who have been vaccinated has fallen short of goals set by Operation Warp Speed.
THE LARGER TREND
Biden has named California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as the next secretary of Health and Human Services and has called for an American Rescue Plan that includes $20 billion for a national vaccine program.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com
