Recent reports have indicated that President Donald Trump removed Dr. Anthony Fauci’s security detail, which was being paid for by the National Institute of Health. Following his leadership under the COVID-19 pandemic, Fauci has become a deeply divisive and unpopular figure in American politics, leading to threats against his safety.
Trump addressed the news during a press conference as he was visiting Western North Carolina on Friday, arguing that government employees are not entitled to lifetime security details funded by taxpayer dollars. According to reports, Fauci has hired his own personal security. Trump has also revoked security details for former national security advisor John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
A reporter asked Trump, “The security detail for Anthony Fauci was terminated last night. And I’m wondering if you have any comment?” The president responded, “I think you know, when you work for government … at some point, your security detail comes off, and you know, you can’t have them forever.”
He added, “So I think it’s very standard, if it would be for somebody else, you wouldn’t be asking the question.” Trump emphasized, “The question is very fair, but, you know, you work for government. We took some off other people too, but you can’t have a security detail for the rest of your life because you work for government.”
After being asked if he would bear responsibility should something happen to Fauci, Trump suggested his vast wealth could cover private security. “They all made a lot of money. They can hire their own security too. All the people you’re talking about, they can go out, I can give them some good numbers of very good security people. They can hire their own security. They all made a lot of money. Fauci made a lot of money,” he said.
Dr. Fauci also received a preemptive pardon from former President Joe Biden. In his final hours before leaving office, Biden extended offers of legal immunity to figures such as Dr. Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley, various members of his own family, and members of the January 6 Committee. The move demonstrates a fear among Democrats that Trump will pursue political retribution.
Biden said about the pardons, “I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. 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.”
He added, “That is why I am exercising my authority under the Constitution to pardon General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee. The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.”
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