Special Poll
On Friday, President Trump confirmed that he had removed security protections from Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. This action is seen as part of a broader pattern of retaliation against political adversaries by Trump.
All individuals targeted by Trump in this manner have reportedly received death threats during a period of increased political violence. This situation has compelled Fauci to hire his own security team, according to a report by the New York Times. When questioned on Fox News about the need for ongoing security for government officials, Trump commented, “You can’t have a security detail for the rest of your life because you worked for government.”
In a related move, former President Biden granted Fauci a preemptive pardon on his last day in office, providing him with broad immunity before Trump took office again.
Throughout his career, Fauci has been the subject of political attacks, particularly from Trump and other Republicans, due to his management of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Similar security concerns have affected others like John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, who has received threats from Iran after vocally criticizing the regime. An Iranian national was charged in 2022 with plotting to assassinate Bolton. “This is a matter that people should take seriously,” Bolton expressed during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Moreover, Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State, has faced similar threats. Despite his criticism of Trump on various policy issues and being excluded from Trump’s second administration, Pompeo celebrated Trump’s initial successes during his first week in office.