Dr Fauci is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Is that job an appointment by the President? Can Fauci be summarily dismissed by displeasing POTUS?
Fauci is also a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. That of course is by appointment.
Dr Fauci has missed the last two press briefings. He’s in a difficult position trying to advise the President.
I suspect the only reason he hasn’t been fired already is that it would look bad.
He’s gone. Trump is very Stalinist in his views on loyalty.
He’s in a very precarious position. He has to put the facts out there, but at the same time he knows he can’t push back too hard against Trump, and that he has to kiss his ass at least a little bit. Otherwise, Trump will not hesitate to throw him under the bus, and probably appoint some feckless toady in his place.
After all this is over, I imagine he could write a pretty fascinating tell-all about what’s going on behind the scenes.
I think he’ll be banished from the press conferences from now on. I don’t think he will last much longer in his job.
Is anyone else really hoping that he just throws up his hands at a conference and say, “He’s an idiot, don’t listen to him. Fuck this shit I’m out.” Because that would be awesome to see. Though I know we need the guy as he knows what’s going on.
Dr Fauci is the most experienced member of the Coronavirus Task force. He’s fought AIDS,SARS,Ebola etc.
The country is lucky to have his expertise.
Unfortunately, no one can survive extended exposure to the Orange Pestilence.
Victims are either indoctrinated or fired.
I would contribute to his GoFundMe and/or Patreon if he did that.
He wont’ be at any more press conferences. That’s not me being prophetic, that’s just the sun rising in the east, so he won’t be doing anything at any future press conferences. He’ll be gone when Trump figures everyone’s attention is elsewhere, just like he’ll be up to other things while the coronavirus is terrifying everyone. There’s something deeply wrong with that man, but he, or his advisors, have a mean sort of cunning.
I’d love it if he pushed Trump away from the podium and said, “Yo, Trump, I’m really happy for you. Imma let you finish, but I gotta tell people to ignore everything you have to say first!”
Trump is now referring to the outbreak in the past tense. Fauci doesn’t need to worry, it’s all over already.
Nobody’s job is safe in that team. Except Pence until at least next January and if I were him I’d be watching my back until the ballots are printed.
Yup. He’ll be gone when no one’s looking. If he’s very, very lucky Trump will just act as if he never met him, rather than call him disrespectful, disgraceful, not very competent, low ranking and to blame for the mistakes.
Fauci has advised four presidents and has widespread credibility. Obviously, contradicting Trump carries risks. Firing him during the crisis would further harm Trump. Realizing this, once things eventually settle down Fauci might leave by choice or otherwise.
I hope not. He has largely been the continuity that has kept NIAID funded and focused, and I desperately hope that he has the fortitude to persevere because his expertise is going to be needed to rebuild and improve our response system to deal with the next outbreak. Regardless, he is clearly in line to receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom from whomever succeeds Trump, not in the least for not decking out Trump where he stands.
Trump cares almost nothing for looking bad; he just blames it on someone else and moves on. It would not shock me at all if he fired Dr. Fauci in the middle of this crisis and appointed Drunk White House Doctor or even Jared Kushner to replace him because he is literally that oblivious.
Stranger
He’s 79 so he might not mind not working. If he was fired he could go on TV and say whatever he wants so he might prefer that.
It is not on this wiki list of positions presidentially appointed. His immediate boss, the director of the National Institutes of Health, is appointed. That likely means that Fauci is Senior Executive Service (SES).
By law, it is relatively hard to remove SES.
Dr. Fauci hasn’t kept working as director of NIAID because he needs the money. He’s the exemplar of public service who has spent decades trying to get politicians and the general public to be aware of the threat of transmissible epidemic disease as well as a legacy of both administration of the NIAID under six presidents and an extensive amount of scientific research in infectious disease, rheumatism, and allergy for which he is extensively cited in medical and infectious disease literature. He’s also an primary editor of the ubiquitous Harrison’s series of handbooks and medical manuals. He’s not looking to make a career as a pundit in CNN.com “roundtable discussion”.
Stranger
Fauci is back at the press conference! I think the bad press of the last few briefings may have swayed Trump.
I came here also to report that Fauci is not only at today’s task force briefing, he’s SPEAKING.
I wish he would tell Trump to STFU. I’d gladly contribute to his GoFundMe.
Deborah Birk is the WH token doctor on the task force. She opened her mouth and proved she’s been drinking the Orange koolaid. She is “encouraged” that fewer people are dying in Italy.
They are still dying, just a few less today.
~VOW
Holy shit, trumpie is letting experts speak. Including Fauci right this moment