“I’ve been asked by the Biden team to step down as Surgeon General. It’s been the honor of my life to serve this Nation, and I will do all I can to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve and maintain health,” said Adams in a tweet posted on Wednesday.
Adams was nominated by President Donald Trump and was sworn in as surgeon general on September 5, 2017. He was previously expected to serve the standard four-year term, which was set to expire this coming September.
In his longer statement posted on Facebook, Adams noted his accomplishments as surgeon general, which included addressing the devastation caused by three category five hurricanes, the opioid epidemic, the dangers of youth e-cigarette use, and COVID-19, among other things.
“During my tenure, I have visited with people from all across America,” said Adams. “I can assure you that from Alaska to Alabama, from Maine to Montana, and from California to the Carolinas, Americans mostly want the same thing. They want a fair shot at being their best and healthiest self, and to be able to support the health and well being of their families.”
Adams ended with a message for the future, saying: “I hope in 2021 and beyond, we can focus more on what unites us, and rise above what divides us.”
“Because Americans working together can overcome any obstacle or adversary,” he added. “I stand at the ready to help in our mutual quest for recovery, resilience, and health, and thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the opportunity to serve.”
Adams, who was previously an anesthesiologist and Indiana health commissioner, became a key spokesman for Trump’s coronavirus response. He frequently appeared on national TV and advocated for COVID-19 public health measures on social media.
Biden has already picked Adams’ replacement as surgeon general, coronavirus transition adviser Vivek H. Murthy, in December. Murthy previously served in the role under former President Barack Obama’s administration. He, however, still awaits Senate confirmation.
Newsweek reached out to Biden’s team, but didn’t hear back in time for publication.
