The Trump administration plans to launch a pandemic response division at the State Department, according to a new report.
National Security Council officials organized an inter-agency meeting on Thursday to discuss plans for the new office, CNN reports, since a similar division previously existed within the NSC.
That office was closed in 2018.
A senior administration official told the network that the pandemic unit will be overseen by a new position that is being created: pandemic coordinator.
Thursday’s meeting focused on detailing details and establishing a proposal for President Trump to approve it.
The original NSC pandemic unit was created by President Barack Obama during his second term.
Former national security adviser John Bolton, who was present when the unit was shut down, defended that decision in a tweet in March this year.
“Claims that streamlining NSC structures harmed our nation’s biodefense are false. Global health remained a top priority for the NSC, and its team of experts was critical in effectively managing the 2018-19 Ebola crisis in Africa, “he wrote, adding:” The angry left simply cannot stop. attack, even in a crisis. “
Trump also defended the office closure at the time, denying any involvement in the measure.
“I don’t know anything about it,” he said.
The administration had been under scrutiny for the closure of the office when the coronavirus pandemic began to hit completely.
A State Department spokesman did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on the matter.
With posts
.
