After Retirement, Fauci Granted $15M in Security Services Funded by Taxpayers

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who retired as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in December 2022, has reportedly received $15 million in taxpayer-funded security services since leaving office. The security expenses, which covered the period from January 2023 to September 2024, were discovered through an investigation by government watchdog Open The Books, which obtained records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Open the Books uncovered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The funds provided salaries and benefits for law enforcement personnel assigned to protect Fauci, as well as transportation and law enforcement equipment.

• Unprecedented Post-Retirement Security: Open the Books reported they found no other instance of a former federal employee receiving this level of protection post-retirement. “From 2019 to 2022, Fauci was the highest-paid federal employee,” the report noted, with a record salary of $480,654 in his final year. Despite retiring with a pension estimated at $355,000 per year, Fauci’s extensive security arrangements have continued, funded by American taxpayers.

• What’s Driving the Cost?: The $15 million covers not just security personnel but also transportation and other law enforcement costs. The MOU even allowed for the possibility of extending the contract further, raising questions about how long taxpayers will continue footing the bill. The case raises concerns about government transparency and whether such spending is truly warranted for a retired public health official.

• Fauci’s Comments on the Pandemic: Amidst the security spending revelation, Fauci has continued making public statements about his role in the pandemic. In an April 2023 interview with CNN, Fauci dismissed criticism of his handling of the pandemic, urging Americans to avoid “the blame game” for decisions made during what he described as a “moving target.” Fauci defended his decisions, claiming, “There were things that happened and it was a moving target... you had to, out of necessity, make a decision.”

Fauci’s extended protection arrangement is sparking backlash from critics who see it as yet another example of bloated government spending and misplaced priorities. With inflation and a mounting national debt, the question remains: Why are taxpayers footing such an enormous bill to protect a retired official?

For more on how taxpayer dollars are being spent, share this article and subscribe to our newsletter.