Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s highly regarded infectious disease expert who has served under seven presidents, said Monday that he will step down from his post in December
Fauci, who shot to fame during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, wants to pursue the “next chapter” of his career.
“I am announcing today that I will be stepping down from the positions of Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation, as well as the position of Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden,”
He emerged as a household name at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020.
His face became well-known, appearing at daily White House briefings to deliver sober updates about the deadly spread of the coronavirus.
That role boosted rivalry with former President Donald Trump, who went to great lengths to downplay the severity of the crisis.
Many other Republicans criticised Fauci for pushing strict mitigation measures and accused him of trying to harm Trump politically.
In a statement coinciding with Fauci’s own announcement on Monday, the president thanked Fauci for his years of government service.
Biden called him a “dedicated public servant, and a steady hand with wisdom and insight honed over decades at the forefront of some of our most dangerous and challenging public health crises.”
“Because of Dr. Fauci’s many contributions to public health, lives here in the United States and around the world have been saved,”
biden says on fauci.
“As he leaves his position in the U.S. Government, I know the American people and the entire world will continue to benefit from Dr. Fauci’s expertise in whatever he does next.”
Fauci said he is not retiring, and instead plans to “pursue the next phase of my career while I still have so much energy and passion for my field.”
“My time is running out. I’m 81 years old,” Fauci said in an interview with an Australian radio station.
He said that by 2024, “it is unlikely that I will still be at this job no matter who gets to be president of the United States.”
Over the coming months, Fauci will help prepare the Institute for a leadership transition.
“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,”
“Thanks to the power of science and investments in research and innovation, the world has been able to fight deadly diseases and help save lives around the globe. I am proud to have been part of this important work and look forward to helping to continue to do so in the future.”
Investor sentiment is improving as fresh data out of the US and Australia shifts expectations for central bank action.
Stronger-than-expected labour market figures in Australia have raised questions about whether the Reserve Bank will move ahead with a rate cut next week. While the RBA has signalled it is watching data closely, the resilience in employment may force a delay.
Meanwhile, in the US, softer inflation data has lifted hopes that the Federal Reserve could cut rates later this year. That news helped spark a sharp turnaround in US equities, with the so-called “sell America” trade now unwinding as buyers return to Wall Street.
President Donald Trump’s four-day Middle East tour during his second term has sparked global attention, locking in a monumental $600 billion investment from Saudi Arabia. From AI to defence, space to energy—this economic pact is reshaping U.S. foreign policy.
In an unprecedented move, Trump also lifted long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria after meeting its new president, raising eyebrows among traditional allies.
Ticker News anchor Veronica Dudo speaks with Erbil “Bill” Gunasti, former Turkish PM Press Officer and Republican strategist, to break down the implications for national security, global diplomacy, and the path to peace in Ukraine.
Trump’s AI deals in the Middle East spark division over national security risks and concerns over China ties.
In Short:
Trump’s AI deals with Saudi Arabia and the UAE are causing internal conflicts in his administration over US national security. Officials are concerned that American technology supplied to the Gulf could ultimately benefit China, leading to calls for enhanced legal protections.
President Donald Trump’s recent AI deals in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are causing internal conflicts within his administration.
Concerns are rising among officials, particularly China hawks, about the implications for US national security and economic interests.
Agreements include shipments of vast quantities of semiconductors from Nvidia and AMD to the Gulf states, prompting fears that American technology could ultimately benefit China, given the region’s ties with Beijing.
While the accords include clauses to limit Chinese access to the chips, some officials argue that further legal protections are necessary.
Critics, including Vice President JD Vance, have suggested that maintaining US dominance in AI is crucial, and shipping chips abroad might undermine that goal.
Supporters of the deals, including AI Adviser David Sacks, argue the need for American technology in the Gulf to deter reliance on Chinese alternatives.
Despite this, internal discussions are underway to potentially slow down or reassess the agreements due to ongoing national security concerns.
Conversations have also included proposals for a significant chip manufacturing facility in the UAE, which many officials deem risky due to China’s influence.
Additionally, worries persist about G42, an AI firm in Abu Dhabi, which has historical ties to Huawei.
The agreements with Gulf countries promise to enhance their technological capabilities while necessitating careful oversight to address US security priorities.