Fauci gets security detail after receiving multiple threats, reports say

It’s likely that security was put in place just recently, but the topic has been under consideration for at least a month, according to the Hill, which first reported the news. 

Fauci, when asked Wednesday about the threats at the daily task force briefing, referred questions to the Department of Health and Human Services.

HHS said in a statement that Fauci is “an integral part of the U.S. Government’s response against COVID-19” and referred CNBC to the agency’s Office of Inspector General.

Tesia Williams, director of communications at the HHS Office of Inspector General, said in a statement to CNBC that protective services for its leadership are provided when needed, but she “cannot confirm, at this time, that we are providing such services for Dr. Fauci.”

Still, there could be reason for concern. Right-wing figures on Twitter have characterized Fauci as a Trump dissenter, saying he seeks to undermine the president.

A video featuring Fauci putting his hand over his face, seemingly out of distress because of Trump’s remarks, went viral last month. 

Trump at that moment had referred to the State Department as “the deep State Department,” suggesting there are people on the inside who are working against him. 

But the president has denied any tension between him and Fauci. “We get along very well. I think it’s been very good,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News last month. The White House declined to comment. 

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/02/coronavirus-fauci-gets-security-detail-after-multiple-threats.html