Trump threatens to fire Fauci

O PA-LOCK A, FL A .» President Donald Trump is suggesting that he will fire Dr. Anthony Fauci after today’s election, as his rift with the nation’s top infectious disease expert widens while the nation sees itsmost alarming outbreak of the coronavirus since the spring.

Speaking at a campaign rally inOpa- locka, Florida, Trump expressed frustration that the surging cases of the virus that has killed more than 231,000 people in the United States this year remains prominent in the news. That sparked his supporters to begin chanting “Fire Fauci.”

“Don’t tell anybody but let me wait until a little bit after the election,” Trump replied to thousands of supporters early Monday, adding he appreciated their “advice.”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tweeted later Monday in response: “We need a president who actually listens to experts like Dr. Fauci.”

Biden has sought to keep the campaign focused on what he says is a disastrous federal response to the pandemic. Trump countered by using the race’s final hours to accuse Biden of wanting to force the country back into a lockdown to slow the spread of the virus.

Still, Trump’s comments onFauci less than48hours before polls close likely ensure the pandemic will remain front and center heading into Election Day.

It’s the most direct Trump has been in suggesting he was serious about trying to remove Fauci fromhis position. He has previously expressed that he was concerned about the political blowback of removing the popular and respected doctor before the election.

Trump cannot directly fire Fauci, who is not a presidential appointee.

Theoretically, Trump could pressure Fauci’s boss, Dr. Francis Collins, or Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to do so.

Even discounting Fauci’s scientific legacy, taking that step would be politically extraordinary considering a Republican president, GeorgeW. Bush, awarded Fauci the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Fauci also has considerable bipartisan support in Congress.

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