FLETCHER, N.C. — President Donald Trump has made the decision to discontinue the federal security detail assigned to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the prominent infectious disease specialist who provided guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. This development was confirmed by a source close to the situation on Friday.
Fauci is one of several former officials from the Trump administration who have received the same treatment, with their federal protection being revoked despite persistent threats to their safety. During a press conference in North Carolina, Trump remarked that he would not feel accountable if any harm were to come to these former aides. According to an anonymous individual familiar with the sensitive security situation, Fauci’s protective detail was officially terminated on Thursday, prompting him to engage private security services for his protection.
When questioned about Fauci and former national security adviser John Bolton, Trump commented, “They all made a lot of money. They can hire their own security, too.” Earlier in the week, Trump had also eliminated the security details for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his chief aide, Brian Hook. Both of these individuals, alongside Bolton, have been subjected to threats, particularly from Iran, due to their firm stances against the country during Trump’s first term and subsequent critiques of the former president after he left office in 2021.
Dr. Fauci, who regularly appeared alongside Trump during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, became increasingly critical of the president as Trump sought to undermine public health recommendations. Throughout the pandemic, Fauci has faced numerous life threats and benefited from federal protection for several years.
Both Bolton and Pompeo, along with Hook, had their security measures continually renewed under the Biden administration, reflecting credible and ongoing threats linked to Iran. Similarly, Fauci’s security detail had been extended by President Biden due to domestic threats against him.
Trump asserted, “You can’t have a security detail for the rest of your life because you worked for government,” emphasizing his perspective on the matter.
