President Donald Trump on Friday had revoked Federal Security Protection of Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Senior American Health.
Fauci, who served as the nation’s leading infectious disease expert during the COVID-19 pandemic, was under security provided by the National Institutes of Health.
This move was initially reported by CNN. Fauci’s detail was reportedly revoked Thursday night.
The doctor has been one of the most vilified characters of the pandemic, having been blamed by many for what they see as mismanagement of the federal government’s COVID response, including lockdowns, mask mandates and vaccine requirements. Nearly five years after the pandemic swept the nation, Fauci continues to face ongoing threats for his public-facing role.
CNN reported that Fauci has since hired his own private security that he’ll pay for himself—a move Trump alluded that his foes could afford.
“They all made a lot of money. They can hire their own security, too,” Trump said when asked about the decision to revoke security personnel for his former aides.
The move comes as Trump continues to pull at the main security points for former officials who have since criticized him.
“You have prime points of security for the rest of your life because you’ve worked for the government,” Trump said.
Fauci noticed in the Trump team at the beginning of the pandemic, appearing throughout the president during his press conferences. Trump even called Fauci a “star” during the information sessions of the White House and told Newhouings that the skillful “did a massive task for long hours. I respect him a lot. “
But when the two began to diverge in the epidemic, the tensions began to grow. While Fauci has a more member defender of security measures, such as social distancing, Trump requested temporarily reopening the economy. In July 2020, Fauci admitted that he had not informed Trump for weeks.
Trump has become more shameless critic with Fauci, calling him “disaster” and suggesting that “people are tired of listening to robots and all those idiots. ” Fauci also criticized Trump and the inconsistent email of the virus management. After the Republican left his duties, Fauci expressed his frustrations running under Trump’s management, saying that there were recommendations given through the White House “that were uncomfortable because they were not based on clinical facts. “
The measure also occurs days after former President Joe Biden forgave Fauci on Monday in the final hours of his presidency.
“Even when individuals have done nothing wrong — and in fact have done the right thing — and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances,” Biden said.
Biden also delivered such indults for the members of the circle of relatives and members of the Chamber of the Chamber of January 6.
Update: 1/24/25, 1:02 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Updated: 01/24/25, 1:27 PM ET: This article has been updated with more information.
Gabe Whisnant is deputy weekend editor-in-chief at Newsweek founded in South Carolina. Prior to joining Newsweek in 2023, he directed publications in North and South Carolina. As editor, on the main, Gabe directed the award-winning canopy of the capture of Charleston church shooter Dylan Roof in 2015, as well as the canopy of the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial. She graduated from Caroline University in North Wilmington. You can tap Gabe by emailing g. whisnant@newsweek. com. Find him on Twitter @gabewhisnant.