The nation’s top health officials say they have a “productive” working relationship with the president.
During their testimony before the Senate on Tuesday, members of the White House coronavirus task force were asked if they have a “confrontational relationship” with President Donald Trump.
“There is certainly not a confrontational relationship between me and the president,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said, adding, “I give advice and opinion based on evidenced-based, scientific information.”
He continued, “He hears that. He respects it. He gets opinions from a variety of other people. But, in no way in my experience over the last several months has there been any confrontational relationship between us.”
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White House coronavirus task force members deny that their relationship with Pres. Trump is confrontational and lacking consensus in response to a question from Sen. Kelly Loeffler. https://t.co/VXsEPZOzYg pic.twitter.com/7UqI2ZboK5
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said, “I would echo what Dr. Fauci said. We’re there to give our best public health advice, and that’s what we do.”
“And I’ve always felt free to give the best public health advice that I think needs to be given at the time,” Redfield said.
“I do not have a confrontational relationship, have not had a confrontational relationship with the president,” Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn said.
He added, “He asks questions, I have given him my honest answers rooted in data and science. And he has listened respectfully to those.”
Finally, coronavirus testing coordinator Brett Giroir added, “I have nothing else but to echo my colleagues. We work very closely together.”
He added, “We have a very productive working relationship with each other and also the president and vice president. It would not be confrontational. And I certainly feel that we have the ability to honestly state our opinions and recommendations and that’s been that way since the beginning.”
Since the virus began spreading in the country, there has been speculation that Trump may try to fire Fauci.
However, that has not happened, and Trump routinely praised Fauci. In April, Trump said, “He’s a good man. I like Dr. Fauci a lot, just so you understand.”
Fauci has also stated that Trump has been receptive to recommendations and quick to take action.