Deep state slowing virus trials, says Trump

WASHINGTON: Without providing evidence, US President Donald Trump accused members of the “deep state” within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of working to slow testing of Covid-19 vaccines until after the November presidential election.

In a Twitter post, Trump said the deep state “or whoever” at the FDA was making it very difficult for drug companies to enrol people in clinical trials to test vaccines and therapies for the Covid-19 virus.

The comment came after Reuters exclusively reported that a top FDA official said he would resign if the Trump administration approved a vaccine before it was shown to be safe and effective.

“Obviously, they are hoping to delay the answer until after November third. Must focus on speed, and saving lives!” Trump wrote, tagging FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn in the tweet.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was a “dangerous statement” and that the president was “beyond the pale” for accusing the FDA of playing politics.

The FDA could not immediately be reached for comment.

Drug manufacturers, in coordination with the FDA and National Institutes of Health, are ramping up production while testing is underway in order to respond as soon as possible with a vaccine for Covid19, which has killed nearly 800,000 people worldwide.

Trump often uses Twitter to criticise federal agencies, sometimes accusing them of being controlled by the “deep state” in an apparent reference to long-serving staff who, in Trump’s eyes, are determined to undermine his agenda. — Reuters