Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned Friday afternoon, amid reports that President Trump was considering firing him over his use of private jets for government business, which provoked a public outcry over misuse of public funds.
The White House released a statement accepting Price’s resignation and announcing that Don Wright of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion would serve as Acting Secretary.
Politico first reported last week that Price had taken at least 24 flights on chartered planes since May to conduct official business, at a cost to the taxpayer of more than $300,000. On Thursday, Politico additionally reported that Price had taken military aircraft for trips to Africa, Europe, and Asia, bringing the total bill to more than $1 million. White House officials said they had approved the military flights, but not the private ones.
Price’s predecessors at HHS habitually flew commercial, at a fraction of the cost.
HHS initially pushed back against the story, with spokeswoman Charmaine Yoest saying “commercial travel is not always feasible” due to Price’s “incredibly demanding schedule.” On Thursday, the White House declined to say whether Price’s job was in jeopardy, and Price issued a public apology, pledging to swear off private flights and reimburse the government for a portion of the costs.
“It is clear to me that in this case, I was not sensitive enough to my concern for the taxpayer,” Price said in a statement. “I know as well as anyone that the American people want to know that their hard-earned dollars are being spent wisely by government officials.”
A day later, Price was out.
As the news broke, House Speaker Paul Ryan released a statement thanking Price for his service.
“Tom Price is a good man. He has spent his entire adult life fighting for others, first as a physician and then as a legislator and public servant,” Ryan said. “I will always be grateful for Tom’s service to this country and, above all, his continued friendship.”
