President Donald Trump acknowledged Friday that he has ended the security detail he provided Dr. Anthony Fauci at taxpayer expense.
In 2020, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provided security for Fauci to protect him from threats he faced as a top health official and spokesperson during the coronavirus pandemic. requested. However, those details were withdrawn Thursday night, CNN first reported.
Trump was asked about the decision on Friday during a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, to tour areas affected by Hurricane Helen.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president, speaks about the Omicron coronavirus variant during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington on December 1, 2021. announced the latest information on , D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“I think when you work in government, at some point your security detail goes off, and you can’t have it forever,” Trump said.
“We’ve laid off some other people as well, but you can’t have a security detail for the rest of your life because you work for the government,” he added.
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Then-President-elect Donald Trump arrives ahead of his inauguration at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Melina Mara – Pool/Getty Images)
President Trump previously revoked the security clearances of 51 intelligence officials who falsely claimed Hunter Biden’s laptop had “all the classic hallmarks of a Russian intelligence operation,” and John Bolton. It also withdrew details provided to former National Security Adviser and former Secretary of State Mike. Pompeo.
Asked if he would feel partially responsible if something happened to Fauci or Bolton, Trump said he did not.
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During a briefing on the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic, then-President Donald J. Trump said Dr. Anthony Fauci, then-director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was a member of the coronavirus task force. listening to you speak. Friday, April 17, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC. (Javin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“No, they all made a lot of money. They can hire their own security,” President Trump said, adding that he knows some good security companies and “gives them good numbers.” You can,” he added.
“Certainly I don’t take responsibility,” he said.
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Former President Joe Biden offered a preemptive pardon to Fauci, who was leaving office, to protect him from retaliation from President Trump. President Trump initially followed Fauci’s recommendations at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, but began criticizing Fauci after the administration’s pandemic response and recommendations proved unpopular.
Fauci served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022 and as chief medical adviser to the president from 2021 to 2022. In 2021, President Trump awarded Fauci and other members of Operation Warp Speed a Presidential Citation for their work. This is to quickly develop a coronavirus vaccine.
This is breaking news and will be updated.
This story has been updated with additional information.
Chris Pandolfo is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. Send your tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow us on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.
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