Donald Trump has revoked the federal security detail of Anthony Fauci, the White House’s much-criticized COVID-19 prevention advisor.
The President notes that Mr. Fauci made a lot of money from his job and that he can afford to pay for his own security.
Fauci, who also served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been a very unpopular figure in many camps in the United States due to his actions during the coronavirus crisis, where he was a driving force behind the introduction of large-scale mass vaccination programs with experimental mRNA vaccines – despite the fact that both risks and benefits were highly unclear.
He was also one of the authorities who advocated for a large-scale and repressive lockdown policy across the country – measures that are deemed to have had disastrous economic and health consequences for many Americans.
This week, Trump lifted the security detail for Fauci, his former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, former national security adviser John Bolton and former envoy Brian Hook.
– You can’t have a security detail for the rest of your life because you work for government, Trump told reporters on Friday, calling the suspension a standard action.
Reporter: Would you feel personally responsible if something were to happen to Dr. Fauci or John Bolton?
President Trump: They all made a lot of money. They can hire their own security. pic.twitter.com/PVTyDuhSq4
— Media Research Center (@theMRC) January 24, 2025
“Needs to pay for his own limos”
When asked whether Trump feels he has a responsibility for the safety of the individuals, he succinctly answered “no” – explaining that these are very resourceful individuals.
– They all made a lot of money. They can hire their own security too. I can give them some good numbers.
One of Dr. Fauci’s most vocal Republican critics, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, has previously called for his security arrangements to be revoked.
“I wish him nothing but peace but he needs to pay for his own limos”, he wrote on X.
Today I sent supporting information to end the 24 hr a day limo and security detail for Fauci. I wish him nothing but peace but he needs to pay for his own limos.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 24, 2025