What Happened to Anthony Stephen Fauci, M.D.?
Dr. Anthony Fauci, a prominent American physician-scientist and immunologist, retired in December 2022 after over 50 years of public service, including 38 years as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and as Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden. Since retiring, he has joined Georgetown University as a Distinguished University Professor, published a memoir in June 2024, and continues to be a leading voice on public health, while also facing ongoing congressional scrutiny regarding his role during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a Senate testimony scheduled for July 29, 2026.
Quick Answer
Dr. Anthony Fauci retired from his government positions in December 2022, concluding a distinguished career that included leading NIAID for 38 years and advising seven U.S. presidents. He is currently a Distinguished University Professor at Georgetown University, where he teaches and continues to engage in public health discourse. Fauci published his memoir, 'On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service,' in June 2024. As of July 29, 2026, he is scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, addressing questions related to his COVID-era journals and the pandemic's origins.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Appointed Director of NIAID
Anthony Fauci became the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a position he would hold for 38 years.
Principal Architect of PEPFAR
Dr. Fauci was one of the principal architects of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program credited with saving millions of lives globally.
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
President George W. Bush honored Dr. Fauci with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, for his work on the AIDS relief program PEPFAR.
Subject of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Controversial Book
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. published 'The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health,' a book that denounces Fauci and promotes misinformation about his role in public health crises.
Announces Retirement from Government Service
Dr. Fauci announced his intention to step down from his positions as NIAID Director and Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden by the end of 2022, after more than 50 years of public service.
Retires from NIAID and as Chief Medical Advisor
Dr. Anthony Fauci officially retired from his roles as Director of NIAID and Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden.
Joins Georgetown University Faculty
Dr. Fauci joined Georgetown University as a Distinguished University Professor in the School of Medicine and McCourt School of Public Policy, and a Distinguished Senior Scholar at the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law.
Testifies Before House Select Subcommittee
Dr. Fauci testified publicly before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, his first public congressional appearance since retiring.
Publishes Memoir 'On Call'
His autobiography, 'On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service,' was published, chronicling his career and experiences in public health.
Receives Preemptive Pardon from President Biden
President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon to Dr. Fauci, citing the need to protect public servants from politically motivated threats of prosecution.
Honored by American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Fauci was honored with the American Academy's Award for Excellence in Public Policy and Public Affairs for his significant contributions to infectious disease understanding and treatment.
Speaks on Pandemic Preparedness and Misinformation
Dr. Fauci participated in an event in Washington D.C., discussing the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of misinformation, and the importance of international collaboration in public health.
COVID-Era Journals Released by Senator Rand Paul
Senator Rand Paul released over a thousand pages of Dr. Fauci's personal journals from the COVID-19 pandemic era, sparking renewed debate and scrutiny over his public and private communications.
Scheduled to Testify Before Senate Committee
Dr. Fauci is scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, subpoenaed by Senator Rand Paul, to address questions regarding his COVID-era journals and the origins of the pandemic.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Dr. Anthony Fauci's extensive career in public health culminated in his retirement from federal service in December 2022, after more than five decades at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He served as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) from 1984, overseeing research into a wide array of infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19. He also served as Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden from 2021 until his retirement.
Following his retirement, Dr. Fauci transitioned to academia, joining Georgetown University in 2023 as a Distinguished University Professor in both the School of Medicine and the McCourt School of Public Policy, as well as a Distinguished Senior Scholar at the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. In this capacity, he continues to share his expertise through lectures, discussions, and public commentary on global health issues, pandemic preparedness, and science communication. His memoir, 'On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service,' was published in June 2024, offering a personal account of his career navigating various public health crises and advising multiple presidential administrations.
Fauci's post-retirement period has also been marked by continued engagement with congressional oversight. He testified before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in June 2024, his first public testimony since leaving government. This scrutiny intensified in July 2026, with Senator Rand Paul releasing thousands of pages of Fauci's personal journals from the COVID-19 era, prompting renewed debate over his public statements versus private thoughts on the virus's origins and the government's pandemic response.
As of July 29, 2026, Dr. Fauci is scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, subpoenaed by Senator Rand Paul, to address these newly released documents and ongoing questions about the COVID-19 pandemic's origins and the federal response. This hearing underscores the lasting public and political interest in his pivotal role during the pandemic. Despite facing criticism and political backlash, Fauci has also continued to receive accolades for his contributions to public health, including the American Academy's Award for Excellence in Public Policy and Public Affairs in April 2025.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Anthony Stephen Fauci, M.D. made different choices?