USA. Dr. Anthony Fauci announced his resignation from government positions

“After more than 50 years in government service, I plan to start a new phase in my career when I still have so much energy and passion for my discipline,” said Anthony Fauci in a statement released. As he announced, he intends to focus on “advancing science and public health” and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

“Because of his great contribution to public health, lives were saved here in the United States and around the world (…) Whether or not you met him in person, he touched the lives of all Americans,” declared the US President Joe Biden.

Fauci has managed NIAID, the major infectious disease government agency, continuously since 1984, advising seven presidents and leading a response USA incl. the epidemic of HIV / AIDS, Zika and Ebola viruses, although it gained nationwide publicity for its role in the pandemic COVID-19. Fauci served on the expert coordination teams at the White House in administration Donald Trumpand later also Joe Biden.

Due to political disputes over the pandemic, Fauci has also come under sharp criticism from the right and opponents of coronavirus restrictions and vaccines. For this reason, he also had to face threats. In August, the court sentenced a man who had been threatened with death to three years in prison. Some Republican Party politicians have previously announced that they intend to conduct an investigation into Fauci.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Fauci stated that he “has done nothing that he cannot defend.” He also admitted that he made mistakes during the pandemic, including initially disregarding the importance of the masks.