Asked if he felt responsible for protecting officials, Trump said Friday: “They all made a lot of money. They might as well have their own security.”
According to the New York Times, Dr. Fauci was protected first by federal marshals and then by a private security company, paid for by the government.
One of Dr. Fauci’s most vocal Republican critics, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, called for his security clearance to be revoked.
He wrote in a post on X on Thursday that he had “sent supporting information to finalize the 24-hour-a-day limo and security detail for Fauci”.
“I wish him nothing but peace but he needs to pay for his limos,” he said.
Trump also revoked the security clearances of 51 intelligence officials who claimed Hunter Biden’s laptop had “all the classic hallmarks of a Russian information operation.”
Under the US protocol, former presidents and their spouses are granted lifetime immunity. But the protection of other US officials is decided based on a threat assessment by the intelligence community.
As the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr Fauci faced death threats during and after the coronavirus pandemic, as well as criticism from Republicans over the mask mandate and other Covid restrictions. fell
He led the institute for 40 years, including during Trump’s first term. Trump also gave presidential commendations to Dr. Fauci, who served on the Operation Warp Speed task force during the pandemic.
Before leaving office, then-President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon for Dr. Fauci.
The doctor told US media that he “really applauded” Biden for taking action, adding that the prospect of a lawsuit had caused “immense and unbearable pain” for his family.
“Let me be very clear, I have committed no crime and there is no possible basis for any accusation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution against me,” he said.
