US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has revoked the security protection for Dr Anthony Fauci, the former COVID advisor who has faced numerous death threats due to his role in managing the pandemic response.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to North Carolina, Trump remarked, “You can’t have a security detail for the rest of your life because you worked for the government.”
Trump also noted that he had recently withdrawn Secret Service protection from former national security advisor John Bolton.
According to The New York Times, Trump had similarly revoked security for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his aide Brian Hook.
When asked if he would take any responsibility if something happened to Fauci or Bolton, Trump responded, “No,” adding that they had all made significant money and could afford their security. He also suggested he could provide them with contacts for “very good security people.”
Fauci, who had been a key figure in the US’s COVID-19 response during Trump’s first term, has faced increasing animosity from right-wing groups and has been subjected to multiple death threats. His security protection was reportedly cancelled on Thursday, and he has since arranged for private security.
Bolton, who has become one of Trump’s vocal critics, was previously targeted in an alleged Iranian assassination plot.
In response, the US State Department has offered a $20 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspected Iranian mastermind behind the plot.
The US also accused Iran of plotting to assassinate Trump in retaliation for the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
