Azar responds to reports of tension between HHS, White House

Emily Rappleye -

HHS Secretary Alex Azar denied a report of "frosty" relations between the agency and Trump administration officials in an interview with Fox News reporter Shannon Bream.

Mr. Azar declared a Politico report alleging a tense relationship between the health secretary and White House staffers Joe Grogan and Mick Mulvaney to be "absolutely nonsense." He said the teams "get along well" and "get along professionally."

"This team works very well together," Mr. Azar told Fox News. "I've got an extremely productive relationship with the president, the vice president and the senior members of this administration."

He called President Donald Trump a "great leader," and as part of that leadership, Mr. Azar said the president has brought opposing viewpoints to the table to discuss and reach consensus.

The Politico report alleged dozens of officials, speaking anonymously, had observed tension between Mr. Azar and the White House. The alleged divide caused confusion and policy delays, according to Politico.  

 

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