After a decades-long career fighting the various epidemics that have shaken his country and the world, the eminent Dr. Anthony Fauci, now President Joe Biden’s main adviser on COVID-19, announced Monday at age 81 that he would leave office in December.
The immunologist will also retire on this date from his position as director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which he had held for 38 years. However, he clarified that it was not yet a question of “retiring” for him.
“I plan to pursue the next phase of my career with all the energy and passion I have left for my field,” he said in a statement.
Highly respected by many, but also deeply hated by part of the conservative population, he had become the face of the fight against the pandemic in the United States in the past two years.
His announcement comes at a time when COVID-19 has largely faded from the lives of Americans — although tens of thousands of new cases continue to be reported every day.
President Joe Biden immediately sent “his deep thanks” to Dr. Fauci. “The United States is stronger, more resilient and healthier because of him,” he said in a statement.
“His commitment to his work is unwavering, and he does it with unparalleled spirit, energy and scientific integrity,” Biden added. “I know the American people and the world will continue to benefit from Dr. Fauci’s expertise in whatever he does next. »
Death threats
In 2020, this doctor by training – already famous in the world of infectious diseases and the fight against AIDS, but then still little known to the general public – was thrown into the limelight by joining the presidential cell on the Donald Trump coronavirus.
With his rocky New York accent, Mr. Fauci at the time became a master in the art of politely reframing his boss, cultivating his image as an outspoken man.
His simple messages tirelessly repeated in countless daily interviews made him the reassuring figure that America needed. Having become a real emblem, his face adorns socks and t-shirts, and cocktails bearing his name are sold in bars.
But he, who had always been careful to stay away from politics, has gradually become the pet peeve of conservatives, and the favorite target of anti-vaccines and opponents of wearing masks, in a context of very strong politicization. of the health crisis in the United States.
During a hearing in the Senate, Mr. Fauci had accused an elected Republican of encouraging those making death threats against him. He is now forced to live surrounded by a reinforced security system.
“Honor” of a lifetime
The son of a pharmacist, Mr Fauci served under seven different US presidents, starting with Ronald Reagan.
“It has been the honor of my life to lead NIAID,” he wrote on Monday, listing the crises he has gone through: AIDS epidemic, anthrax attacks, Ebola, Zika, etc.
Under Republican President George W. Bush, Anthony Fauci was the architect of the Pepfar program, which saved the lives of millions of people with HIV. He was decorated in 2008 for his efforts against AIDS.
“Thanks to the power of science and investments in research and innovation, the world has been able to fight deadly diseases,” wrote Anthony Fauci. “I’m proud to have been a part of this important work and look forward to helping continue to do so in the future. »