Jesse Watters, the popular host of Fox News’ Primetime, announced on his program that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the epidemiologist and former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is continuing to enjoy a round-the-clock security detail funded by taxpayers despite having officially retired.
Watters launched his segment expressing bewilderment at the unusual situation. He made it clear: “This doesn’t make any sense. The only people who get a security detail after retirement are presidents, vice presidents, and their families.” His investigative team had filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the U.S. Marshals, seeking all records related to Fauci’s security arrangements.
The FOIA request resulted in disclosures that raised more questions than they answered. The documents obtained indicated that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland personally requested that Fauci continue to receive his security detail. This arrangement is slated to last at least until September, with the possibility of extension. While the exact cost to taxpayers remains undisclosed, Watters speculated it must reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In an additional twist to the tale, it was also disclosed that the security detail encompasses a limousine service for Dr. Fauci. A vexed Watters shared his concerns with his viewers, stating, “Primetime (Fauci) still has a lot of questions that need to be answered. How long is this going to go on for? Why are we paying for it? What’s it costing us? And, did Dr. Fauci genuinely retire?”
WATCH:
Dr. Fauci’s wealth, reportedly having burgeoned by 30 percent during the pandemic, is at the center of this controversial finding. Despite his supposed retirement, it appears the expenditure of taxpayer dollars for his personal security and transportation has not ceased. The Health and Human Services (HHS) initially claimed they were not funding the security detail, but upon further investigation, it was revealed that the U.S. Marshals were indeed paying the bill.
Watters also revealed that Senator Rand Paul has questioned whether Fauci continues to receive legal representation, hinting that he might need it in the future.
The Kentucky senator declared, “I think he ought to pay for his own security detail and his own legal defense if he needs one.”