Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the country, will get additional security in response to a growing number of threats from Trump supporters, The Washington Post reports.
Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has repeatedly pushed back on Trump’s calls to prematurely lift coronavirus restrictions and his hype of malaria drugs that are being tested for use on coronavirus patients.
While Fauci has received wide praise, his contradicting of the president has made him a target among Trump supporters.
Though the nature of the threats is unclear, federal officials determined that it would be wise to ramp up his protection.
Fauci angers Trump groups:
The news comes after an article portraying Fauci, who has served at the NIH for decades, as a member of the “deep state” that was shared to Facebook groups with titles like “Trump Strong” and “Trump Club.”
The criticism aimed at Fauci alarmed Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, who determined that Fauci should have a security detail.
HHS asked the US Marshals Service to protect the doctor and the Justice Department signed off on the request on Tuesday.
Trump’s supporters vocally condemn Fauci:
“The president was right, and frankly Fauci was wrong,” Fox Business host Lou Dobbs ranted last week while discussing the malaria drug.
“Right-wing news and opinion sites have gone further, launching baseless smears against the doctor that have gained significant traction within pro-Trump communities online,” The Post reported.
Some pro-Trump online outlets have labeled Fauci as a “Deep-State Hillary Clinton-loving stooge.”
