Dem senator: Trump ‘politicizing’ position of Surgeon General

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Saturday accused President Trump of “politicizing” the position of Surgeon General after the Trump administration fired Dr. Vivek Murthy, an appointee of President Obama, the previous day.

“Dr. Murthy is another in a long list of political targets by the Trump administration. U.S. Surgeons General are not supposed to be fired mid-term. They have served administrations of both political parties because keeping Americans safe and healthy isn’t a partisan issue,” Murphy said in a statement.

Murthy, who was nominated by Obama in 2013 and confirmed the following year, was fired on Friday.

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The Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement that Murthy was asked to resign, and that he will be temporarily replaced by Rear Adm. Sylvia Trent-Adams.

“Dr. Murthy helped steer our country through the frightening Ebola and Zika outbreaks, and rightfully focused on the devastation of addiction,” Murphy continued.

“He didn’t shy away from speaking the truth about gun violence as a public health crisis. By firing Dr. Murthy, President Trump is politicizing the position of Surgeon General and risking the credibility of our nation’s top public health official.”

According to The New York Times, the doctor’s sudden ousting came as a surprise to the employees at HHS.

Murthy, however, voiced his political views in the past, labeling gun violence a health threat to the country.

“While I had hoped to do more to help our nation tackle its biggest health challenges, I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have served,” Murthy said in a note posted to his Facebook on Friday.

“The role of the Surgeon General is traditionally to share wisdom with others, but it was I who learned so much by listening to your stories in town halls and living rooms.”

He added that the U.S. “is in capable and compassionate hands” under his temporary replacement.