White House installed OAN reporter as FDA spokesperson. She lasted 11 days

[riversedge]

White House installed OAN reporter as FDA spokesperson. She lasted 11 days
The political appointment of a right-wing activist at the FDA alarmed agency staff
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/08/white-house-installed-oan-reporter-as-fda-spokesperson-she-lasted-11-days/
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Beth Mole - 8/28/2020, 5:13 PM



The Food and Drug Administration has ousted its controversial chief spokesperson, Emily Miller, following botched communications about using blood plasma as a potential COVID-19 treatment, according to multiple media reports.

Miller, who held the position for just 11 days, aggressively defended FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn this week after he grossly misstated benefits of the treatment during a press briefing last Sunday. In the briefing, President Trump announced that the FDA had authorized emergency use of the treatment, despite reports that experts at the National Institutes of Health objected, saying the evidence was too weak to justify use. Though Hahn apologized for his misstatements, controversy over the authorization continued, raising questions about the credibility of the FDA and the independence of Hahn.

But even without that fiasco, Miller’s presence at the agency was controversial, drawing further concern that the traditionally apolitical agency has been politicized by the Trump Administration.

The White House installed Miller, a right-wing activist, to the FDA August 17. Though she has no background in science or medicine, she was appointed to the position of assistant commissioner and chief spokesperson for the regulatory agency, a position that is typically filled by non-political civil servants.

Further Reading

FDA’s promotion of post-COVID plasma treatment was as bad as it appeared


Miller’s previous work included directing communications for Senator Ted Cruz’s re-election campaign and reporting for One America News, a right-wing cable channel that often dabbles in conspiracy theories and prominently supports Trump. As Stat news points out, Miller also worked as columnist for the Washington Times, where she published pieces with titles such as: “New Obamacare ads make young women look like sluts.” In 2013, she published a book on gun rights titled, Emily Gets Her Gun: But Obama Wants to Take Yours.........................






Enlarge / Emily Miller from her "reporting" days at OAN in 2016. Miller recently became the assistant commissioner and chief spokesperson for the FDA, and more recently became the former assistant commissioner and chief spokesperson for the FDA.
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[Laelth]

1. She had to take the fall.

I am sure she was just following “company orders,” but it’s dangerous working for Trump. You may get thrown under the bus at any moment. He expects complete loyalty from you. Don’t expect any from him.

-Laelth

[Dave in VA]

2. One Scaramouchi!

[eppur_se_muova]

3. I was going to ask ... nt

[TrunKated]

4. beat me to it!