On the eve of election day, the White House anti-epidemic team general Foch urged the government to change its anti-epidemic policy or face “very great harm”. The statement immediately drew strong accusations from the White House, angry at Foch for “playing politics”. President Donald Trump hinted at his intention to fire Fauci after the election while canvassing in Florida. On the other hand, the US media pointed out that Trump plans to reorganize his cabinet on a large scale after his re-election, and the US Health Minister Alex Azar, who visited Taiwan a few days ago, fears to be fired.
In an interview published by the Washington Post the day before yesterday, Anthony Fauci, the chief infectious disease expert and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was asked how to evaluate the performance of Trump and Biden in the fight against the epidemic, Fauci said Biden “is taking it seriously from the perspective of public health”, while Trump “looks at it from the perspective of restarting the economy and lifting the embargo”. He stressed that unless there is a “dramatic change” in approach to health care, the U.S. will face “very great harm” from the epidemic.
After the publication of the interview, White House spokesman Dill immediately issued a statement to counter the attack, blasting Foch as a core member of the White House epidemic prevention team, “but on the eve of the vote, it is unacceptable to break all norms and play political games”, and criticizing Foch for “choosing to criticize the President in the media and let everyone know his political leanings by praising the President’s opponent.
The day before yesterday, Trump told a crowd of supporters in Florida that he intended to fire Foch if he was re-elected, adding, “Don’t tell anyone, let me do it some time after the election (before). I appreciate that suggestion”, supporters chanted “fire Foch” in response.
Trump said he intends to fire Fauci (left) after his re-election. File photo
Trump says he intends to fire White House anti-pandemic general Foch (left) after his re-election. File photo
Image credit: Apple News Network
In addition, according to the U.S. political news site Politico reported that Trump intends to reorganize the White House cabinet on a large scale after his successful re-election, mainly to the health and intelligence agencies, firing officials who are disloyal, low performers, or contrary to him.
In terms of public health, Secretary of Health and Human Services Assar, who recently visited Taiwan, Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will all face dismissal for taking opposite positions from Trump on the handling of the Wuhan pneumonia epidemic.
As for national security, FBI Director Christopher Wray, CIA Director Gina Haspel and Defense Secretary Mark Esper may not be able to stay in office. Reportedly, Trump dissatisfied with Wray, Haspel refused to investigate, the 2016 election Trump camp by the Obama administration target. Esper was criticized for not being strong enough to fix the bureaucrats in the military system.
And while Commerce Secretary Ross has taken a tough stance against China and is a key driver of the U.S. trade war with China, reports say he doesn’t get along well with Trump and may not be able to renew his term in the new Trump administration.
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