WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 13: In response to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, U.S. President Donald Trump announces that he is declaring a national emergency during news conference with National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci (2nd from L), Vice President Mike Pence and other members of his coronavirus task force and leaders from the healthcare industry in the Rose Garden at the White House March 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty)
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on the coronavirus pandemic, is now receiving enhanced protection measures from the U.S. government. The move comes after some President Donald Trump supporters issued a series threats against the doctor.
The Department of Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Alex Azar grew concerned over a series of virtual attacks launched against Fauci and asked the department to conduct a threat assessment. The Department of Justice (DOJ) then issued requests for extra agents to guard Fauci.
In response to the request from the DOJ, the HHS has created a protection plan for the 79-year-old doctor. The arrangement grants Fauci 24/7 armed agent protection and includes at-home protection.
For the most part, the harassers are pro-Trump activists including conspiracists, who insist that Fauci is attempting to spoil Trump’s reelection efforts. These far-right activists continue to circulate theories about Fauci working as an agent against Trump.
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Fauci ignited a firestorm on the right by clashing with Trump — the top expert sometimes corrects erroneous claims that Trump has made about the coronavirus.
CORONAVIRUS FAQ: WIKI OF MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As the nation’s leading expert on the coronavirus, Fauci, sometimes stops Trump and corrects statistics and data blunders that the president has made about the virus, during coronavirus task force briefings.
Fauci declined to comment Wednesday at a press briefing on whether he had been granted extra security protection.
“I cannot confirm, at this time that we are providing such services for Dr. Fauci,” said Tesia Williams, an OIG spokesperson.
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