Fauci to step down from office in December

• Dr. Anthony Fauci will be stepping down from his government positions in December.
• Fauci said that he is not retiring yet, but pursuing “the next phase” of his career.
• President Joe Biden thanked Fauci for his “many contributions to public health.”

Renowned infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci announced on Monday that he will step down from his positions after over 50 years of government service.

Fauci announced, “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.” He added that he will be relinquishing these positions this December “to pursue the next chapter of my career.”

Fauci has served under seven presidents, but only became a household name in the spring of 2020 when he started appearing at daily White House briefings about the spread of the coronavirus. His role often put him at odds with former President Donald Trump and other Republicans who called him out for pushing strict mitigation measures. Critics accused him of having a political agenda.

As Trump’s presidency came to an end, Fauci was sidelined from making public statements about the pandemic, until President Joe Biden appointed him as his chief medical adviser in January 2021.

The president thanked Fauci for his “many contributions to public health” following his announcement. Biden described him as a “dedicated public servant, and a steady hand with wisdom and insight honed over decades at the forefront of some of our most dangerous and challenging public health crises.”

Biden added that Fauci’s service helped save many lives in the U.S. and around the world. He continued, “As he leaves his position in the U.S. Government, I know the American people and the entire world will continue to benefit from Dr. Fauci’s expertise in whatever he does next.”

Fauci clarified that he is not retiring yet, but is only pursuing “the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field.” He has previously stated that he might step down given his age.

In April, Fauci told CBS News‘ “Red & Blue” that he is “at the point in my career where I’m going to have to sit down at some time.” Still, he intended to step down only after the pandemic is “under better control,” which he thinks is getting closer.

In July, Fauci said during an interview with an Australian radio station, “My time is running out. I’m 81 years old.” He added that he might step down before the next presidential election, regardless of who runs and wins.

Source: CBS News