In a series of diary entries released by Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul, Dr. Anthony Fauci expressed critical views about former President Donald Trump, marking the first public disclosure of Fauci’s private call for Trump’s impeachment. The entries, attributed to the former federal health official, were made public on Wednesday.
Already last summer, other pandemic-era diaries had shown Fauci privately referring to Trump as ‘an idiot’ and ‘out of control.’ This week’s publication follows Paul’s earlier release of diary entries, while he also shared a collection of historical records spanning from 2001 to July 2015. The new documents are available for public view on the senator’s official website as part of a broader investigation led by Paul into Fauci’s decisions over his decades in government service.
Fauci’s Private View of Trump
The 203-page collection carries the label ‘Released by Chairman Rand Paul’ and traces Fauci’s growing disapproval of Trump. On January 21, 2017, Fauci criticized Trump for boasting about his inauguration crowd and for attacking the press during a CIA appearance, calling his behavior ‘amazingly unpresidential.’
By March, Fauci’s opinion had hardened, describing White House personnel as ‘a scary bunch’ and Trump’s team as ‘truly unscrupulous’ over proposed federal budget cuts affecting agencies like the NIH. Amidst a partial government shutdown in January 2019, Fauci wrote, ‘Trump is acting more and more bizarre. Should be impeached,’ noting that Democrats worried impeachment might galvanize Trump’s supporters.
Earlier entries of the diary reveal Fauci’s concerns even before Trump took office, including criticism of his performance during the September 2016 presidential debates, stating, ‘Trump made a fool of himself.’ Fauci noted that a lewd remark made by Trump, captured on the Access Hollywood recording, would typically disqualify anyone else, yet loyal voters remained supportive.
Lost Files and Government Interactions
The diaries also discuss internal government operations. In July 2016, Fauci recorded that a ransomware attack encrypted an unprotected computer folder, causing the loss of stored confidential letters and documents initially compiled post-anthrax attacks.
In September 2017, Fauci hosted George Gao, Director General of China CDC, at NIH, praising him privately. He had subsequent meetings with China’s vice premier, health minister, and the head of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. A January 2019 entry expressed confusion over why Chinese efforts to acquire Ebola-related technology were classified, noting the availability of similar information in scientific literature.
What Happens Next
The released diaries have implications for the Justice Department, with a contempt referral under review, but the department is not obligated to act on it. The ongoing investigation into Fauci involves scrutinizing his political neutrality, recordkeeping, and handling of disputed scientific research during his tenure.
Senator Paul’s disclosures arrive amidst a political backdrop of Republican-led scrutiny regarding Fauci’s past government roles and related decision-making.
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