Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized former President Donald Trump for his claim that he was not allowed to fire former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci. Trump made this statement in response to a question about why he hadn’t fired Fauci, who had drawn criticism from Republicans over his guidance on masking and other pandemic-related issues.
DeSantis argued that Trump’s explanation had shifted from his earlier comments on the matter. According to the Florida governor, Trump’s previous explanation had been that firing Fauci would have resulted in backlash from both Democrats and the media, a statement DeSantis acknowledged as true. However, he emphasized that leadership often comes with making difficult decisions, and Trump had the authority to remove Fauci from the White House Task Force without completely terminating him.
DeSantis has been a vocal critic of Fauci’s approach to the pandemic and has taken a different stance on COVID-19 restrictions and policies in Florida. He has consistently highlighted his state’s handling of the pandemic, especially in terms of keeping businesses open and not imposing lockdowns or mask mandates.
Trump responded to DeSantis’s earlier criticisms by suggesting that the governor had a favorable view of Fauci and had praised him for his guidance during the pandemic. Trump also mentioned that Florida had experienced a significant number of COVID-19 deaths, ranking third in the nation in terms of fatalities.
This exchange between DeSantis and Trump occurred as COVID-19 cases were rising across the country, prompting discussions about reinstating mask mandates and other health precautions in some areas. DeSantis has maintained his opposition to lockdowns, mask mandates, and fines for non-compliance with pandemic-related measures.
The disagreement between the two prominent Republicans highlights the ongoing debate within the party over COVID-19 policies and the role of public health officials like Fauci.