After being sworn in Wednesday, President-elect Joe Biden plans to ask Surgeon General Jerome Adams to resign from his position as the country's top doctor, according to two people who have knowledge of the decision, The Washington Post reports.
The former Indiana health commissioner's term is set to expire in September, but his role as a spokesman for President Donald Trump's COVID-19 reponse made him a target for Democrats.
The president-elect has already nominated Vivek Murthy, who also served as surgeon general under former President Barack Obama, to take Adams' place. But since Murthy needs to go through Senate confirmation hearings — which have not yet been scheduled — prior to taking up the job, sources tell the Post Biden will pick an acting surgeon general as early as Wednesday.
Deputy Surgeon General Erica Schwartz plans to retire due to being passed over by the Biden administration, the Post reports.
"It is unfortunate that the American people will no longer have her expertise and dedication as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare the Commissioned Corps for 21st- century challenges," Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, said of Schwartz's departure.
The Post notes that the surgeon general can call attention to public health issues but has limited ability to make policy. The doctor also oversees the U.S. Public Health Service, which is made up of over 6,000 uniformed public health personnel.
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