Trump Suggests He Might Fire Anthony Fauci After the Election
President Donald Trump has suggested he could fire Dr. Anthony Fauci after the presidential election on Tuesday. Speaking at a rally in Opa-Locka, Florida on Monday, Trump responded when the crowd started chanting “Fire Fauci.”
“Don’t tell anybody but let me wait until a little bit after the election,” Trump told his supporters, who cheered. “I appreciate the advice.”
Trump said Fauci was “a nice guy but he’s been wrong a lot.” Fauci has been director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 a key member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, suffering criticism from the president and some of his allies.
Wow — a "Fire Fauci!" chant at the Trump rally
"Let me wait until a little after the election," Trump replies pic.twitter.com/bRHLqzzcRF
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 2, 2020
Republican Congressman Andy Biggs of Arizona, who has called for Fauci’s firing in the past, seized upon Trump’s comments, tweeting a video of the remarks and calling on the president to act them, while also calling for other firings.
“Can’t come soon enough. Please add Deborah Birx and Robert Redfield to that list, President @realDonaldTrump,” he wrote. “The Fauci-Birx doctrine of destruction is coming to a merciful end.”
Can’t come soon enough.
Please add Deborah Birx and Robert Redfield to that list, President @realDonaldTrump.
The Fauci-Birx doctrine of destruction is coming to a merciful end. https://t.co/OvI4Q7N6yY
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) November 2, 2020
Birx has also been a prominent member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, while Redfield is the director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and was appointed by Trump in 2018.
Fauci gave an interview to the Washington Post on Friday, offering praise for former Vice President’s attitude toward COVID-19 and contrasting it with Trump’s approach, which he said was more focused on the economy. He also offered harsh criticism of White House Coronavirus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas.
Watch the video above, via Twitter.
