Tony's Diary Package — page 134

who is an NBC News medical contributor. "I think at the end of the day, the president needs Fauci more than Fauci needs any of this." His job is considered the "ultimate balancing act," according to Dr. Kavita Patel, also an NBC News contributor. Watching the president continue to ad-lib medical advice from the White House briefing room "has to be frustrating" for Fauci, whose day job entails research on a potential vaccine, but he is likely aware that the pandemic response will take months and months so he takes a longer view. "He is a runner, and I am sure part of this is viewing COVID-19 task force as a marathon not a sprint," she said. Besides the president and Vice President Pence, the only coronavirus task force member who has appeared at more briefings is coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx. Neither doctor attended Friday's briefing, which was the shortest to date. And, in a first at these kinds of newsers, Trump and Pence took no questions. White House officials provided no explanation for the abbreviated appearance and lack of medical professionals like Birx and Fauci. Earlier this month, the president elevated a tweet that contained the hashtag "FireFauci." Advisers close to both men denied that was ever under consideration and the two later said publicly they had a good relationship and will continue to work together. Even so, the president does not have the direct authority to dismiss Fauci. The president could, in theory, direct Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to see to it that Fauci is fired. Azar would then have to direct the NIH head to oust Fauci. As a federal employee, Fauci can only be fired "for cause." If he were to be removed, however unlikely, it would cause "irreparable harm," Gupta said. Occasionally in recent weeks, when Fauci hasn't been seen among the group of aides emerging from the bright blue doors of the West Wing to start the briefings, observers on social media have wondered aloud: "Where's Fauci?" The answer for most of this week, at least: no longer at the president's side in the daily briefings. Monica Alba Monica Alba is a political reporter for NBC News.