By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-23 15:36:52 | Updated at 2024-12-23 19:01:36
3 hours ago
Dr. Anthony Fauci is no longer getting a taxpayer-funded security detail and SUVs after the U.S. Marshals Service quietly dropped his nearly two-year $15 million deal.
Despite retiring from his $480,000-a-year government job in December 2022, the nation's top COVID doctor received a security detail for almost two years.
During a publicity tour to promote his new book this summer, 83-year-old Fauci said he was scared 'deep down, that there's a possibility that somebody's gonna kill me.'
Dr. Fauci, who has an estimated $11 million net worth, was constantly surrounded by U.S. Marshals at the time whether he was at home or going to TV studios to film interviews.
That cost taxpayers $15 million in total, a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Marshals and the Department of Health and Human Services obtained by DailyMail.com first revealed.
That taxpayer-funded security arrangement quietly ended on September 30, 2024, the documents show, days before the election.
Trump teased on the campaign trail that he would be trimming down the 'bloated' federal government that spends billions on unnecessary wast, and Fauci's detail was bound to be high on that list.
He created a new agency, DOGE, headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy who have been tasked to do just that.
Exclusive photos taken of Fauci at his residence over the weekend confirms that his taxpayer-funded detail appears to have been disbanded.
Dr. Anthony Fauci pictured outside his DC home talking to a member of his security team and before waving goodbye as he heads into his home.
Fauci is seen with what appears to be his slimmed-down security team
Fauci is waving to the driver stationed across the street who is part of the security detail
Dr. Anthony Fauci walking in his Washington, D.C. neighborhood without his security detail
The disgraced COVID czar was spotted on a walk with his wife Christine without any security detail on Saturday.
And instead of the huge group U.S. Marshals that were spotted at his home earlier this year, a what appeared to be several private security bodyguards were seen instead.
Over the summer, there were at least six U.S. Marshals with a fleet of vehicles parked in Fauci's neighborhood.
The agents were ready for whenever he wanted to leave his property - which according to real estate websites is worth around $2.2 million.
Their Marshals pin badges were clearly visible, and they were on call all times of day for when he needed to travel.
His more recent sightings reveal a much slimmer security operation.
They huddled with Fauci after an outing before departing in a white SUV.
When pressed by DailyMail.com on why the detail was ended, a U.S. Marshals spokesperson responded in a statement: 'The USMS does not disclose information regarding threats that involve protected persons.'
But they indicated that Fauci had begun footing the bill 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.
What looks like to be a private security guard for Dr. Fauci near the COVID doctor's home
A private security guard leaves the Fauci residence after an outing
Fauci was spotted on a walk with his wife Christine over the weekend without any security detail
They huddled with Fauci after an outing before departing in a white SUV
This indicates that the money USMS and HHS approved for Fauci's protection is no more, and that his detail was cut just ahead of the presidential election and the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
'I think we need to look at all security details,' Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told DailyMail.com of DOGE's efforts.
He said it made 'no sense' for Fauci to have a detail.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., however, said that some security details are warranted, and immediately pointed to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has used a taxpayer-funded security detail since leaving office.
DOGE, which is tasked with eliminating unnecessary spending (like paying for a retired government officials security), has already shaken up the status-quo on Capitol Hill.
Fauci's detail on the street outside his home. Republican Senator Rand Paul said only cabinet members would receive the same level of protection
Dr. Anthony Fauci pictured outside his home while on a walk over the summer. His security detail was following closely behind him
Agents prepare for their detail with Fauci over the summer
Musk just before Christmas aggressively campaign against a 1,547-page government funding bill. After he ridiculed House GOP leadership for the deal he called 'criminal,' lawmakers proposed a slimmer 116-page bill before refining the measure further.
The DOGE X account has already set its sights on cutting waste at HHS, having posted about NIH funding a $2.3 million experiment to inject dogs with cocaine and another nearly $7 million NIH award for toilets that study 'analprints,' or the unique look of each individuals posterior.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., an outspoken Fauci critic who long blasted the doctor for getting rides around in limousines while retired, is trying to slim down waste too - especially that overseen by the ex-chief medical adviser to Biden and Trump.
In a recent report, Paul further criticized the Fauci for approving a multi-million dollar study to determine whether cats can contract COVID.
'Since January 2022, Dr. Fauci’s NIAID and the USDA have given Cornell University $2.24 million to study whether felines can contract and transmit COVID-19,' the report indicated.
Fauci exits ABC studios while being escorted by his U.S. Marshal security detail after appearing Thursday on 'The View.' The Marshal can be clearly identified by his lapel pin
'Not only is this a waste of over a million in taxpayer dollars, but the experiments have led to the suffering and death of over thirty cats.'
Aside from defunding Fauci's costly studies, earlier this year Paul told DailyMail.com he wanted Fauci's detail to end.
'I've had 34 death threats in a week before. I have had death threats as soon as this last week,' Paul perviously said. '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 only other person probably getting his level of security would be the president, vice president, maybe cabinet members, and a few members in leadership in the House and Senate,' the senator continued.
