The former Federal Emergency Management Agency director abruptly left an interview on MSNBC after another guest criticized his views regarding how best to stop the coronavirus.
Craig Fugate, who spent eight years at the agency’s helm under the Obama administration, appeared on the network Thursday afternoon to discuss whether the federal or state governments should be in charge of the response efforts. He argued that state and local governments should be taking the lead on how to combat the spread in their own states, while Andy Slavitt, the former acting administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under President Barack Obama, disagreed.
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“The myth of a single person in charge taking control and running this is a myth,” Fugate argued. “This is going to be dealt with on the front lines and local and state levels, and each state is going to be addressing this unique to their systems.”
“I’ve always believed the best way the federal government can support our governors is to get out of their way, get them funding, use CDC to give guidance,” he added. “As we’re running out of stuff, I’m asking the question, why are we not looking at idle capabilities now and governors just go contract for that resource? Why wait for the federal government to do it?”
Slavitt criticized Fugate’s opinion, saying the suggestion “is not helpful” because “we need a great partnership between the federal and state government.”
The comment set off Fugate, who took off his earpiece, stood up, and mumbled, “I don’t have time to listen to bullshit, people.”
He addressed the controversy on social media, saying: “At the point I’m not helping, time to step back. Never was good at the talking head thing anyway. This is too critical of a time to let emotions get in the way. My apologies to you and your audience.”
