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Senator Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday called on Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, to resign from the board of Pfizer, saying his decision to join one of the country’s leading pharmaceutical companies “smacks of corruption.” Ms. Warren, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, said in a public letter to Dr. Gottlieb that the revolving door between government and industry “makes the American people rightly cynical and distrustful about whether high-level Trump administration officials are working for them, or for their future corporate employers.” (Kaplan, 7/2)

“You should rectify your mistake and immediately resign from your position as a Pfizer board member,” said Warren, who is running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020. “Doing so would send a strong and necessary message to the American people about the importance of government ethics and the integrity of current and former federal officials.” (LaVito, 7/2)

Gottlieb, who won bipartisan support for his efforts to curb use of flavored e-cigarettes by youths, stepped down from the FDA in April, a role he had held since May 2017. He was named to Pfizer's board last Thursday and was added to the board's regulatory and compliance as well as the science and technology committees. (7/2)

“Revolving door influence-peddling smacks of corruption, and makes the American people rightly cynical and distrustful about whether high-level Trump administration officials are working for them, or for their future corporate employers,” Warren said in a statement. (Edney, 7/2)

Gottlieb announced last week that he would join Pfizer’s board beginning June 27, sparking immediate criticism that the company would have unmatched sway with the agency that regulates it. The move also allowed critics of the Trump administration to pounce on the perceived hypocrisy of an official who touted his work to lower drug costs accepting a leadership position with the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer. (Facher, 7/2)

Gottlieb did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but said on Twitter that he would respond to Warren privately. “While I was at FDA, I had a productive relationship with Senator Warren, working together to advance shared public health goals. I respect the Senator, and I will respond to her letter that I received today from reporters promptly, directly, and privately,” Gottlieb tweeted. (Weixel, 7/2)