Republican Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has issued a warning to Dr. Anthony Fauci after the top federal health official announce he plans to retire this year.
In a statement on Monday, Fauci announced he will step down from the positions of Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation, and Democrat President Joe Biden’s top medical advisor in December, shortly before the new Congress starts.
The timing of the retirement, after over four decades of federal service, hasn’t gone unnoticed by Republicans who plan to investigate Fauci when they take back control of Congress after the November midterms.
Fauci said: “I am announcing today that I will be stepping down from the positions of Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation, as well as the position of Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden.
“I will be leaving these positions in December of this year to pursue the next chapter of my career.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to have led the NIAID, an extraordinary institution, for so many years and through so many scientific and public health challenges.
“I am very proud of our many accomplishments. I have worked with – and learned from – countless talented and dedicated people in my own laboratory, at NIAID, at NIH, and beyond.
“To them, I express my abiding respect and gratitude.
“Over the past 38 years as NIAID Director, I have had the enormous privilege of serving under and advising seven Presidents of the United States, beginning with President Ronald Reagan, on newly emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats including HIV/AIDS, West Nile virus, the anthrax attacks, pandemic influenza, various bird influenza threats, Ebola and Zika, among others, and, of course, most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am particularly proud to have served as the Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden since the very first day of his administration.
“While I am moving on from my current positions, I am not retiring.
“After more than 50 years of government service, I plan to pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field.
“I want to use what I have learned as NIAID Director to continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats.
“Over the coming months, I will continue to put my full effort, passion, and commitment into my current responsibilities, as well as help prepare the Institute for a leadership transition.
“NIH is served by some of the most talented scientists in the world, and I have no doubt that I am leaving this work in very capable hands.
“Thanks to the power of science and investments in research and innovation, the world has been able to fight deadly diseases and help save lives around the globe.
“I am proud to have been part of this important work and look forward to helping to continue to do so in the future,” he said.
Enter Rand Paul who warned:
“Fauci’s resignation will not prevent a full-throated investigation into the origins of the pandemic.
“He will be asked to testify under oath regarding any discussions he participated in concerning the lab leak.”
Fauci’s resignation will not prevent a full-throated investigation into the origins of the pandemic. He will be asked to testify under oath regarding any discussions he participated in concerning the lab leak.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 22, 2022
