“It’s more of a matter of principle of where the authority lies,” says Fauci.
QUICK FACTS:
- White House Chief Medical Advisor and Director of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Anthony Fauci admitted that the Biden administration is attempting to preserve “authority” through mask mandates.
- Fauci said Wednesday during an appearance on Fox News that he believes in the Justice Department’s push to reinstate the Transportation Security Administration’s mask mandate.
- The White House medical adviser has said on multiple occasions he believes mask mandates should be kept in place.
- “One of the issues, Neil, that I have articulated in the past and I will in the future – it’s less about mandates on the plane than it is about who has the right and the authority and the capability of making public health decisions,” Fauci said.
- “I believe that the Department of Justice is operating on the principle that decisions that are public health decisions belong with the public health agency, in this case, the CDC,” he continued.
FAUCI’S TAKE ON THE DOJ APPEAL:
- Upon questioning, Fauci said, “I believe that the Department of Justice is operating on the principle that decisions that are public health decisions belong with the public health agency, in this case, the CDC. So it’s more of a matter of principle of where the authority lies than it is about whether or not there’s gonna be a mandate on a plane or not.”
- When Cavuto asked Fauci if he believes masks on planes are still necessary, Fauci responded “I do, I mean the CDC continues to recommend that when people fly, that they wear masks,” adding “The mandate has been pulled back on the decision of the court, but that does not change the recommendation of the CDC, Neil, or my own personal preference.”
BACKGROUND:
- This isn’t the first time Fauci has voiced his frustration with any group going up against the Biden administration on issues of public health.
- In April an interview circulated where Fauci said that it was a “bad precedent” for those “people … that don’t have experience or expertise in public health” to attempt to check the Biden administration’s authority on mask mandates.
