Tony's Diary Package — page 55

BIG DAY! 3. Daring to contradict Trump, in public. This is a step beyond anything Mattis attempted. Through the first two years of the administration, background-sourced stories and reports based on "those in a position to know the Secretary's thinking" laid out the increasing distance between Mattis's view of American interests and what Trump was saying and doing. But there is no precedent, from Mattis or anyone else, for what we have seen these past few weeks from Fauci at the podium. Is the coronavirus problem just going to go away (as Trump had claimed)? No, from Fauci. It is serious, and it is going to get worse. Is the testing system "perfect" (as Trump had claimed)? No, it is not working as it should. Is the U.S. once again the greatest of all nations in its response to the threat? No, it is behind in crucial aspects, and has much to learn from others. Fauci is saying all these things politely and respectfully. As an experienced Washington operator he knows that there is no reason to begin an answer with, "The president is wrong." You just skip to the next sentence, "The reality is..." But his meaning--"the president is wrong"--is unmistakable. Anthony Fauci has earned the presumption-of-credibility for his comments. Donald Trump has earned the presumption that he is lying or confused. A year ago that standoff--the realities, versus Trump-world obeisance--worked out against James Mattis. Will the balance of forces be different for Fauci? As of this writing, no one can know. PRESS: Press conference in WH press room; The Atlantic (see above) Mar. 15, 2020 (Sunday) - BIG DAY! 142,539/ USA = 2888 with 58 deaths and 662 new I did all 5 Sunday Shows today (my 3rd Fauci 5") with This Week on ABC, Meet the Press on NBC, Face the Nation on CBS, FOX with Chris Wallace and CNN. All went very well Had press conference at White House. POTUS made intro and then left for us to take Questions. Brett Giroir brought a bunch of USPHS officers with their dark blue work uniforms and told the press how great they are. I spent an hour before the press briefing