It was obvious to everyone except Trump that the way to handle the administration’s response to the virus was to make Drs. Fauci, Birx, and other professionals the public face. The president’s ideal role would be to work, mostly behind the scenes, with governors, health experts, educators, military and business leaders, close allies, and the Congress to craft creative solutions to supply and other issues. The president’s most important public role would be modeling seriousness about the threat (by social distancing, wearing a mask, etc.) and highlighting the work of others.

Trump was incapable of following that script. Instead, he made himself the star of the daily briefings, with results that will surely be remembered as among the most mortifying in presidential history. Research has shown that Americans living abroad actually shrank several inches in height after each presidential health tutorial…

People of good character who attempt to tell the truth and conduct themselves as honorable public servants cannot survive in this administration. This president exalts Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Rudi Giuliani, and Steve Bannon. He attempts to destroy Alexander Vindman, Marie Yovanovich, and James Mattis. Fauci was doomed from the start because he is serious, sober, dedicated, and independent, not a lackey for the Bad Orange Man. Above all, he was doomed because he tells the truth. And this administration is one continuing lie.