President Donald Trump has officially revoked the federal security detail of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the renowned infectious disease expert who served as the nation’s leading voice during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision, announced on Friday during Trump’s tour of storm damage in Fletcher, North Carolina, marks the latest move by the newly re-elected president to terminate security protections for former officials who have criticized him.
The move to end Fauci’s security detail, which was being funded by the National Institutes of Health, took effect on Thursday night. Trump justified this action by stating, "You can't have a security detail for the rest of your life because you worked for government," emphasizing the standard protocol to discontinue such arrangements. "When you work for government at some point, your security detail takes off, and you know, you can't have them forever," he added.
Fauci, who has faced numerous death threats since leading the government’s response to the pandemic, has opted to hire his own private security team, for which he will foot the bill. A person familiar with the details confirmed this shift, highlighting the significant risks Fauci continues to encounter due to his prominent public position.
Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for 38 years, became widely known for his calm demeanor and scientific approach during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. Nevertheless, as the pandemic unfolded, his relationship with Trump soured. The president frequently clashed with Fauci over public health guidance, including mask mandates and social distancing measures.
It's worth noting the political backdrop to this decision. Just days prior, Trump had similarly revoked security details for several other former officials, including his former national security adviser John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Both figures have previously faced credible threats, particularly from Iran, following their hardline stances during Trump's administration. Trump reiterated during the press conference, "They all made a lot of money. They can hire their own security, too," referring to these officials and their past government salaries.
While Trump’s decision to withdraw security was seen as ‘standard’ by the administration, it coincided with rising tensions among GOP leaders, many of whom have voiced their criticism of Fauci. Notably, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, one of Fauci’s most vocal adversaries, has called for the revocation of Fauci’s security on social media, claiming he had sent pertinent information to support this action.
Interestingly, Dr. Fauci, just before President Biden’s inauguration, received a preemptive pardon from the then-president, which aimed to shield him from potential criminal prosecution amid the politically charged atmosphere surrounding the pandemic. Fauci has expressed gratitude for Biden’s action, stating, "Let me be perfectly clear, I have committed no crime and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me." This fateful pardon reflects the volatile accusations directed at Fauci, often tying him to conspiracy theories crafted by right-wing pundits.
Despite Trump’s efforts to distance himself from Fauci and his administration’s pandemic response, Fauci’s legacy as the face of the administration's health strategy remains intact. During public hearings on COVID-19, Fauci faced hostility and has noted the link between public discourse and the surge of threats against him and his family. He noted this troubling pattern, saying, "It’s like clockwork—the death threats go way up" whenever he’s publicly criticized.
The ripple effects of Trump’s decision to revoke security protections extend beyond Fauci. Other former officials from the Trump administration have begun feeling insecurity as tensions rise amid political retribution narratives. Trump has been vocal about his interest in prosecuting former adversaries, which could spell trouble for several high-profile figures if similar actions are taken against them.
With the political climate becoming increasingly polarized, the ramifications of such security revocations are significant for civic discourse and the safety of public officials. Those, like Fauci, who played key roles during national crises continue facing hostility, and the revocation of their protective detail sends mixed signals about the government's responsibilities to its former officials.
This troubling trend signals a change of priorities from the Trump administration and poses serious questions about the safety of public servants who serve during administrations often embroiled in turmoil. Only time will tell how these developments will affect the security protocols surrounding former officials and what impact they may have on public service.