The government assigned additional security for Dr. Anthony Fauci in the face of growing threats and fawning admirers.
The infectious-diseases expert has become the face of the U.S. government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, and he has also become a target for criticism from right-wing commentators and bloggers who want President Donald Trump to ease social distancing restrictions to restart the economy, reported the Washington Post.
Articles describing the 79-year-old Fauci as a “deep state” agent have gained tens of thousands of interactions on Facebook and were shared on pro-Trump group pages.Defend democracy. Click to invest in courageous progressive journalism today.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar also grew concerned for Fauci’s safety after admirers approached the physician asking for autographs, and he decided to order a security detail.
Fauci, when asked about the security, referred questions to the HHS inspector general, who said the U.S. Marshals had assigned some agents to the physician, but Trump denied they were even needed.
“He doesn’t need security,” Trump said. “Everybody loves him.”
Again. Oh my God.