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Capito defends health officials as Trump, aides increase attacks

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., on Monday defended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in addition to Dr. Anthony Fauci following attacks by the Trump administration.

President Donald Trump retweeted a post by former game show host Chuck Woolery claiming “everyone is lying” about the coronavirus pandemic, claiming the concerns by health officials and others are aimed at affecting this year’s presidential election.

“I think it’s all about the election and keeping the economy from coming back, which is about the election. I’m sick of it,” Woolery added.

Capito said on MetroNews “Talkline” the CDC and doctors are trustworthy sources about how to respond to the coronavirus.

“I think that the president misread the American public here. I don’t think he understands the concerns that we have with the spread,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

Capito added the president is frustrated about the rise of cases and arguments against resuming activities such as in-person classes in schools nationwide.

“That’s not going to get us on the pathway to where we need to be. We’ve got all of this data that tells us how this spread is,” she said.

Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is facing increased pressure from White House aides after repeatedly raising concerns regarding the rising spread of cases.

“I have a reputation, as you probably have figured out, of speaking the truth at all times and not sugar-coating things. And that may be one of the reasons why I haven’t been on television very much lately,” he told the Financial Times last week.

Fauci added he has not briefed the president in at least two months.

Capito on Monday praised Fauci, noting his experience addressing viral diseases including the AIDS outbreak in the 1980s.

“I think we have to listen to somebody like Dr. Fauci,” she said. “I don’t think he has a political agenda here at all. I think he is simply a scientist and a doctor who has experience here.”

Trump told reporters Monday he has a “very good relationship” with Fauci while noting there have been disagreements between the two.





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