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White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows addressed President Donald Trump's accusations about vaccine development delays on Sunday, expanding his claims regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include "a number" of government officials.
"What the president is specifically addressing is...a real frustration with some of the bureaucrats who think that they can just do this the way they normally do it," Meadows told Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace, responding to a question about Trump's Saturday tweet claiming the FDA is stalling distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics for political purposes.
"Sometimes you have to make them feel the heat if they don't see the light," Meadows said, adding: "I applaud the president for putting out the tweet."
Trump targeted the FDA's vaccine development efforts on Saturday morning, shortly after federal officials said they intend to begin vaccine distribution starting November 1.
"The deep state, or whoever, over at the FDA is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics. Obviously they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd. Must focus on speed, and saving lives!" Trump tweeted on Saturday morning. The president uses "deep state" in reference to government authorities whose actions contradict his preferences.
The deep state, or whoever, over at the FDA is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics. Obviously, they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd. Must focus on speed, and saving lives! @SteveFDA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2020
The president tagged FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn in Saturday's tweet. Trump's remarks about coronavirus vaccine development often focus on speed, particularly as the election draws nearer, and his opposition to mail-in voting persists. Hahn's emphasize that a vaccine treatment must prove safe and effective prior to distribution.
In a statement issued by the FDA at the end of July, the commissioner said it "will not cut corners" during the development process, even with intentions to expedite the process. Hahn is expected to attend a news conference with Trump and Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services, to discuss "a major therapeutic breakthrough" related to COVID-19 on Sunday evening, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced on Twitter.
Meadows spoke more about the Trump administration's goals to develop and distribute a vaccine or therapeutic treatment for the novel coronavirus during another interview with ABC News' This Week on Sunday.
"We really need to make sure that we have good science and the proper protocol, but we also can't wait around and assume that this virus is going to go away. This president wants real results," Meadows told This Week host George Stephanopoulos on Sunday morning.
Regarding Trump's FDA accusations, the chief of staff said he believes "there are a number of people that do not see the same sense of urgency as [Trump] sees...they know that some kind of result today is good for the American people."
On Saturday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rebuked Trump's tweet, writing: "The FDA must approve drugs or vaccines based on their safety and effectiveness – NOT political pressure from the White House. The President's dangerous attempt to inject himself into the scientific decisions of@US_FDA jeopardizes the health & well-being of all Americans."
Newsweek reached out to the White House and FDA for comments, but did not receive replies in time for publication.
