After word got out Tuesday that Dr. Ben Carson had turned down the opportunity to serve in the Trump White House, several news accounts suggested the retired neurosurgeon was somehow disenchanted with president-elect and his agenda for the country.

In his own words, Carson said those reports just weren't true. He shared the real reason why he turned down the offer to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, or any other Cabinet position, in a statement he posted to social media:

My decision not to seek a cabinet position in the Trump administration has nothing to do with the complexity of the job as is being reported by some news outlets. I believe it is vitally important for the Trump administration to have many outspoken friends and advisers who are outside of the Washington bubble.

It is vital to have independent voices of reason and reconciliation if our nation is to heal and regain its greatness. I will continue to work with the transition team and beyond as we build a dynamite executive branch of government.

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