Immunologist Anthony Fauci is one of the most prominent experts in the White House coronavirus working group - and apparently not always in line with President Trump. A planned hearing has now been blocked by the White House.
Washington (dpa) - The White House blocks a planned hearing by prominent US government advisor and immunologist Anthony Fauci on the corona crisis in the US House of Representatives.
White House deputy spokesman Judd Deere said it was "counterproductive" to have people working on measures against the virus present at Congress hearings. These could be heard "in due course". The Democrats in the Committee on Budgets had asked Fauci next Wednesday about the response of the government of US President Donald Trump to the virus.
The House of Representatives is controlled by the Democrats, who accuse the Republican Trump of serious omissions in the Corona crisis. Trump had initially reduced the risk of the corona virus. Several US media reports that Fauci is still expected for a Senate hearing controlled by Trumps Republicans on May 12. The House Committee on Budget in the House of Representatives, Nita Lowey, accused the White House on Saturday of putting party politics on public health issues.
In the investigation into the impeachment proceedings against Trump in the Ukraine crisis, the White House had already blocked statements by government officials that the House of Representatives wanted to hear. In the trial, Trump was cleared of all charges by the Republican majority in the Senate.
Fauci is one of the most prominent experts in the White House Coronavirus Working Group. The immunologist warned US states on Thursday not to rashly loosen measures to prevent the virus from spreading. Trump is in favor of easing the situation as quickly as possible, which numerous US states have now initiated.
Statement on Twitter
