In short, he does not
On the other hand! The Post says it’s not that easy.
The not-so-subtle threat has prompted questions and concerns over the plausibility of Trump firing the country’s popular health expert, and whether the president has the legal authority to do so.
In short, he does not.
Technically, the president of the United States cannot directly fire Fauci, let’s say by a tweet, mainly because he is not a political appointee. As a career federal employee and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, Fauci is protected by federal civil-service regulations that shield him from being fired or demoted for political reasons.
Cool, so that means it was very stupid of Trump to admit he planned to do it in response to a rabid crowd at a campaign rally telling him to do it. He can’t very well say it’s not for political reasons.
Fauci could be removed, but it would imply a complicated process layered with civil-service protections that require the government agency to provide evidence that there is a just cause for dismissal, including failure to follow orders or misconduct.
The process to remove him would need to be initiated by someone in Fauci’s chain of command, such as the director of the National Institutes of Health or the Health and Human Services secretary, which is unlikely considering he is an esteemed figure in the scientific and medical community.
Yes but Trump.
However, should that be the case, Fauci would need to be notified about what the allegation was and would then have the opportunity to respond and present evidence to the Merit Systems Protection Board that such action was not warranted. He could also appeal the board’s decision in court.
While these rules are still in place, a controversial executive order issued by Trump two weeks ago could remove these long-held service protections from tens of thousands of civil servants, making it easier to dismiss them with little cause or recourse.
Rep. Don Beyer (D) whose Northern Virginia district includes more than 80,000 federal workers, said the order is intended to “send a clear message that conscientious dissent will not be tolerated,” and could target people like Fauci.
“Trump clearly sees one of his top priority if he is reelected as a settling of scores with civil servants like Dr. Fauci whom he regards as insufficiently loyal,” Beyer told The Washington Post.
He has to lose tomorrow. He has to he has to he has to.
On Monday, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden riffed on Trump’s threats:
“I’ve got a better idea,” Biden said during his campaign rally in Cleveland. “Elect me and I’m going to hire Dr. Fauci! And we’re going to fire Donald Trump!”
Do it do it do it do it do it.
How will you vote?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnca1VxL7eI
Fire Trump, and while we’re at it, fire or at least demote McConnell.
Unfortunately Trump will get about two and a half months’ notice, plenty of time to do more damage (also a generous severance package by ordinary standards, even if it’s nothing like a golden parachute).
He’ll also be facing state prosecution at the very least.
He’ll try to skip town. Call on his friends Vladimir or Jong Un or Recap to see if he can bunk with them.
Though somehow I expect he’ll have trouble getting through.
I’m way past thinking ‘He can’t do that’ will actually hold up. Rules and laws don’t matter if no one enforces them.
As much as I like the idea of Trump wearing an orange jumpsuit for the rest of his days, I find it hard to imagine a jury without at least one person refusing to find him guilty. Still, I’ll hold on to hope.