Anthony Fauci gets his own security detail following threats to his safety

The feds have given Anthony Fauci his own security detail as he faces mounting threats while guiding the country through the devastating coronavirus crisis.

The Department of Health and Human Services were prompted to begin providing the nation’s top infectious disease expert with security personnel based on both threats to his personal safety and an emerging cult following of superfans who approach Fauci, 79, in the street for autographs, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Fauci’s profile has risen in recent weeks as he’s joined President Trump at briefings on the virus and become the administration’s biggest cheerleader for stern social-distancing measures to stop the debilitating COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.

Fauci was beside Trump Tuesday as they delivered a dire forecast for the US death toll: the administration set a target for as many as 240,000 coronavirus-related fatalities — even if all public health guidelines are followed.

“It will be difficult, no one is denying that we are going through a really difficult time right now,” Fauci said at the briefing.

Some right-wing supporters of President Trump have labeled Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as a member of the “deep state” trying to undermine Trump’s reelection.

In the past, Trump has supported measures to re-open the economy by Easter.

Fauci on occasion has stepped to the podium to correct or amend statements from Trump on the virus, related timelines and potential cures.

Fauci declined to comment Wednesday as to whether he’s been given added security — but Trump jumped in.

“He doesn’t need security. Everybody loves him,” Trump said. “Besides that, they’d be in big trouble if they ever attacked him.”

But by that point, a Justice Department official Tuesday had on already signed off on authorizing HHS to provide its own detail to Fauci, according to the Washington Post.

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