Deborah Birx
Deborah Birx

Dr. Deborah Birx, who, as leader of president Trump's coronavirus task force, received criticism for failing to push back at his wild claims about COVID-19, has signed on as a member of BGR Group's advisory board.

An image of scarf-wearing Birx sitting uncomfortably as Trump talked up the prospects of ultraviolet light and disinfectants as treatments for the virus went viral in April 2020. She made no comment about the president's "remedies."

Behind the scenes, Birx, an infectious disease expert with more than 30 years of service in the US Army, State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reportedly advised state and local public health officials on how to navigate the pandemic.

Upon stepping down from the task force when Joe Biden took office, Birx said Team Trump censored her "science-based guidance" and barred her from media appearances.

Haley Barbour, BGR founder and former Republican governor of Mississippi, said Birx's "insights honed from years of service across numerous government agencies will provide enormous value to our clients and bipartisan team."

She will counsel clients on health, international and state policies.