Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top COVID doctor, has seen his taxpayer-funded security detail and SUVs withdrawn after a nearly two-year, $15 million arrangement with the U.S. Marshals Service.
Despite retiring from his government role in December 2022, Fauci, who has an estimated net worth of $11 million, was provided with a security detail for almost two years. During a promotional tour for his new book, the 83-year-old expressed fears, stating, "deep down, that there's a possibility that somebody's gonna kill me."
As reported by Daily Mail, the cost of this security detail, which included U.S. Marshals accompanying Fauci at home and during TV interviews, amounted to $15 million. This arrangement, however, ended quietly on September 30, 2024, just days before the election. This coincided with Trump's campaign promises to trim down the 'bloated' federal government and eliminate unnecessary spending, with Fauci's detail likely being a prime target.
In line with this, a new agency, DOGE, was established, headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, tasked with eliminating wasteful spending. Recent photos of Fauci at his residence confirm the disbandment of his taxpayer-funded detail. The once omnipresent U.S. Marshals have been replaced by what appears to be private security bodyguards.
The U.S. Marshals Service, when questioned about the termination of the detail, responded, "The USMS does not disclose information regarding threats that involve protected persons." However, they indicated that Fauci had begun paying for his own protection. "A signed memorandum of understanding and reimbursable agreement between the Department of Health and Human Services and USMS regarding the detail have concluded," the spokesperson added.
This development suggests that the funds approved for Fauci's protection have been exhausted, and his detail was cut just before the presidential election and the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., voiced his support for DOGE's efforts, stating it made 'no sense' for Fauci to have a detail. However, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., argued that some security details are warranted, citing the example of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has used a taxpayer-funded security detail since leaving office.
DOGE, tasked with eliminating unnecessary spending, has already begun shaking up the status quo on Capitol Hill. Elon Musk, just before Christmas, campaigned aggressively against a 1,547-page government funding bill, which he labeled 'criminal.' This led to lawmakers proposing a slimmer 116-page bill before refining the measure further.
The DOGE X account has already targeted wasteful spending at HHS, highlighting NIH funding for a $2.3 million experiment to inject dogs with cocaine and a nearly $7 million NIH award for toilets that study 'analprints,' or the unique look of each individual's posterior.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a vocal critic of Fauci, has also been striving to reduce wasteful spending, particularly that overseen by the ex-chief medical adviser to Biden and Trump. Paul criticized Fauci for approving a multi-million dollar study to determine whether cats can contract COVID. "Since January 2022, Dr. Faucis NIAID and the USDA have given Cornell University $2.24 million to study whether felines can contract and transmit COVID-19," the report indicated.
Paul argued that this was not only a waste of taxpayer dollars but also led to the suffering and death of over thirty cats. Earlier this year, Paul expressed his desire for Fauci's detail to end, stating, "I've had 34 death threats in a week before. I have had death threats as soon as this last week. So we get them all the time, and nobody picks me up in a limo and takes me to where I want to go every day."
The senator further noted that the only other individuals likely receiving this level of security would be the president, vice president, cabinet members, and a few members in leadership in the House and Senate. This development underscores the ongoing efforts to reduce unnecessary government spending and streamline operations, a move that aligns with conservative values of limited government and fiscal responsibility.
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