Dr. Anthony Fauci to step down as Chief Medical Advisor and Director of NIAID

Dr. Anthony Fauci pictured in 2020.
Photo Credit: Vanity Fair

Dr. Anthony Fauci announced earlier today that he will retire from government service in December and enter “the next chapter” of his career.

Fauci currently serves as the Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden, as well as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). He previously announced in July that he intended to retire before the end of Biden’s current term.

In a statement, Fauci called his role in government service “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,” Fauci stated. “I am very proud of our accomplishments.”

Biden spoke of Fauci’s decision in a White House statement released earlier today, stating, “Because of Dr. Fauci’s many contributions to public health, lives here in the United States and around the world have been saved.”

“I know the American people and the entire world will continue to benefit from Dr. Fauci’s expertise in whatever he does net,” Biden said.

However, Fauci will not be retiring from work in the public health sector.

“I plan to pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Career

Fauci has advised seven presidents throughout his career, including President Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Notably, he has advised the country through a number of viral epidemics including HIV, SARS, swine flu, Zika, Ebola, avian influenza, and COVID-19.

Notably, he received the Presidental Medal of Freedom from President George W. B ush in 2008 in recognition of his efforts during the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Fauci came to the forefront of public attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he became the face of the public health response. He spoke about the virus and government response in a number of White House briefings as well as public interviews.

Dr. Anthony Fauci pictured with Donald Trump in 2020.
Photo Credit: Evan Vucci/AP Photo

The NIACID director became the subject of death threats as well as support when he publicly clashed with President Donald Trump. The two often contradicted one another over COVID-19 treatment options, the severity of the virus, and vaccines. In May, Fauci stated that he would step down from his role if Trump were ever re-elected.