Slaoui confirmed to CNBC on Wednesday that he submitted his resignation letter to the Trump administration on Tuesday. There will be 30 days left to “ensure a smooth transition,” a Biden transition official told CNN.
Slaoui said last week in a call with reporters that he had been in contact with the Biden administration and had been asked to become a consultant when the transition took place, which he agreed to, CNN reported earlier.
It is common for a so-called politician, such as Slaoui, to resign as part of the transition from one administration to another. It was not immediately clear whether the Biden administration intended to appoint a successor.
During his appearance on CNBC, Slaoui supported the success of Operation Warp Speed in obtaining two vaccines authorized for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration and said it was always his intention to return to privacy once this has been done. He said he had decided to “extend” his term to support the new team as he enters. “
“As you know, I very much support this future administration and, of course, its operation and mission, and I will do everything I can to help them succeed,” Slaoui said.
Slaoui said he would continue to support the leadership of Operation Warp Speed ”in every way possible” and expressed “hope and confidence” in the Biden administration’s ability to take over the nation’s vaccination effort.
It is unclear whether General Gustave Perna, the chief officer of Operation Warp Speed, will remain in his role.