A second senior economist is abruptly leaving the White House amid ongoing economic crisis

Washington Post logoTomas Philipson announced he is stepping down two days after Kevin Hassett announced his departure

One of President Trump’s senior economic officials has abruptly left the White House in the middle of the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. He becomes the second senior White House economic official whose departure was announced this month.

Tomas J. Philipson, acting chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, will leave his post by the end of June, White House spokesman Judd Deere said in an email. The announcement comes two days after Kevin Hassett, a senior White House economic official and Philipson’s predecessor as chair of the CEA, announced he would also be stepping down. Hassett was brought back to the administration this winter but is preparing to step away again.

“After 3 great years at CEA I am departing back to University Chicago soon that permitted an unusual extended 3 years of leave,” Philipson wrote on Twitter. “It’s been an honor and privilege to work for and with this President!” Continue reading.