Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) blasted Dr. Anthony Fauci, who serves as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden (D), during an event Wednesday afternoon.
DeSantis made the remarks during a Florida Republican Party “Keep Florida Free” event in Seminole County.
“I’m just sick of seeing him,” DeSantis declared. “I know he says he’s gonna retire. Someone needs to grab that little elf and chuck him across the Potomac!”
WATCH:
Governor @RonDeSantisFL UNLEASHES on Fauci:
"I'm just sick of seeing him. I know he says he's gonna retire. Someone needs to grab that little elf and chuck him across the Potomac!" pic.twitter.com/k6cpBMdaXo
— Team DeSantis 🐊 (@teamrondesantis) August 24, 2022
DeSantis’ remarks come after Fauci said this week that he will step down from his roles in December “to pursue the next chapter of my career.”
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to have led the NIAID, an extraordinary institution, for so many years and through so many scientific and public health challenges,” he said. “I am very proud of our many accomplishments. I have worked with – and learned from – countless talented and dedicated people in my own laboratory, at NIAID, at NIH and beyond. To them I express my abiding respect and gratitude.”
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director said that over the past 38 years he has spent as the head of the agency, he has advised seven U.S. presidents, beginning with President Ronald Reagan, on “newly emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats including HIV/AIDS, West Nile virus, the anthrax attacks, pandemic influenza, various bird influenza threats, Ebola and Zika, among others, and, of course, most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“I am particularly proud to have served as the Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden since the very first day of his administration,” he continued.
Fauci emphasized that he is “not retiring,” promising to use his knowledge to “advance science and public health.”
“After more than 50 years of government service, I plan to pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field,” he said. “I want to use what I have learned as NIAID Director to continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats.”
“Over the coming months, I will continue to put my full effort, passion and commitment into my current responsibilities, as well as help prepare the Institute for a leadership transition,” he said. “NIH is served by some of the most talented scientists in the world, and I have no doubt that I am leaving this work in very capable hands.”
Related: Shapiro Drags Fauci: ‘Everyone Knows He Blew This Job’